Spread pixels using associated dot polarity for multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays

ABSTRACT

A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display that does not require physical features on the substrate (such as protrusions and ITO slits) is disclosed. Each pixel of the MVA LCD is subdivided into color components, which are further divided into color dots. The drive component areas, i.e. where switching elements and storage capacitors are located, are converted to associated dots by adding an electrode that can be electrically biased. The voltage polarity of the color dots and associated dots are arranged so that fringe fields in each color dot causes multiple liquid crystal domains in each color dot. Specifically, the color dots and associated dots of a pixel are arranged so that associated dots have opposite polarity as compared to neighboring color dots.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/751,469 entitled “PIXELS USING ASSOCIATED DOT POLARITY FORMULTI-DOMAIN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS” filed by HiapL. Ong on May 21, 2007, which claimed the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/799,815, entitled “Multi-domain verticalalignment liquid crystal display with row inversion drive scheme”, byHiap L. Ong, filed on May 22, 2006, and also claimed the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/799,815, entitled“Multi-domain Vertical Alignment liquid crystal display with rowinversion drive scheme”, by Hiap L. Ong, filed May 22, 2006, and alsoclaimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/799,843, entitled “Method To Conversion of Row Inversion To HaveEffective Pixel Inversion Drive Scheme”, by Hiap L. Ong, filed May 22,2006.

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/751,469 is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Morespecifically, the present invention relates large-pixel multi-domainvertical alignment LCDs, which can be manufactured with smoothsubstrates.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which were first used for simplemonochrome displays, such as calculators and digital watches, havebecome the dominant display technology. LCDs are used routinely in placeof cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for both computer displays and televisiondisplays. Various drawbacks of LCDs have been overcome to improve thequality of LCDs. For example, active matrix displays, which have largelyreplaced passive matrix displays, reduce ghosting and improveresolution, color gradation, viewing angle, contrast ratios, andresponse time as compared to passive matrix displays.

However, the primary drawback of conventional twisted nematic LCDs isthe viewing angle is very narrow and the contrast ratio is low. Even theviewing angle of active matrixes is much smaller than the viewing anglefor CRT. Specifically, while a viewer directly in front of an LCDreceives a high quality image, other viewers to the side of the LCDwould not receive a high quality image. Multi-domain vertical alignmentliquid crystal displays (MVA LCDs) were developed to improve the viewingangle and contrast ratio of LCDs. FIGS. 1( a)-1(c) illustrate the basicfunctionality of a pixel of a vertical alignment LCD 100. For clarity,the LCD of FIG. 1 uses only a single domain. Furthermore, for clarity,the LCDs of FIGS. 1( a)-1(c) (and FIG. 2) described in terms of grayscale operation.

LCD 100 has a first polarizer 105, a first substrate 110, a firstelectrode 120, a first alignment layer 125, liquid crystals 130, asecond alignment layer 140, a second electrode 145, a second substrate150, and a second polarizer 155. Generally, first substrate 110 andsecond substrate 150 are made of a transparent glass. First electrode120 and second electrode 145 are made of a transparent conductivematerial such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). First alignment layer 125 andsecond alignment layer 140, which are typically made of a polyimide (PI)layer, align liquid crystals 130 vertically in a resting state. Inoperation, a light source (not shown) sends light from beneath firstpolarizer 105, which is attached to first substrate 110. First polarizer105 is generally polarized in a first direction and second polarizer155, which is attached to second substrate 150, is polarizedperpendicularly to first polarizer 105. Thus, light from the lightsource would not pass through both first polarizer 105 and secondpolarizer 155 unless the light polarization were to be rotated by 90degrees between first polarizer 105 and second polarizer 155. Forclarity, very few liquid crystals are shown. In actual displays, liquidcrystals are rod like molecules, which are approximately 5 angstroms indiameter and 20-25 angstroms in length. Thus, there are over 10 millionliquid crystal molecules in a pixel that is 100 μm width by 300 μmlength by 3 μm height.

In FIG. 1( a), liquid crystals 130 are vertically aligned. In thevertical alignment, liquid crystals 130 would not rotate lightpolarization from the light source. Thus, light from the light sourcewould not pass through LCD 100 and gives a completely optical blackstate and a very high contrast ratio for all color and all cell gap.Consequently MVA LCDs provide a big improvement on the contrast ratioover the conventional low contrast twisted nematic LCDs. However, asillustrated in FIG. 1( b), when an electric field is applied betweenfirst electrode 120 and second electrode 145, liquid crystals 130reorientate to a tilted position. Liquid crystals in the tilted positionrotate the polarization of the polarized light coming through firstpolarizer 105 by ninety degrees so that the light can then pass throughsecond polarizer 155. The amount of tilting, which controls the amountof light passing through the LCD (i.e., brightness of the pixel), isproportional to the strength of the electric field. Generally, a singlethin-film-transistor (TFT) is used for each pixel. However for colordisplays, a separate TFT is used for each color component (typically,Red, Green, and Blue)

However, the light passing through LCD 100 is not uniform to viewers atdifferent viewing angles. As illustrated in FIG. 1( c), a viewer 210that is left of center would see a bright pixel because the broad (lightrotating) side of liquid crystals 130 face viewer 210. A viewer 220 thatis centered on the pixel would see a gray pixel because the broad sideof liquid crystals 130 is only partially facing viewer 220. A viewer 230that is right of center would see a dark pixel because the broad side ofliquid crystals 130 is barely facing viewer 230.

Multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays (MVA LCDs) weredeveloped to improve the viewing angle problems of single-domainvertical alignment LCDs. FIG. 2 illustrates a pixel of a multi-domainvertical alignment liquid crystal display (MVA LCD) 200. MVA LCD 200includes a first polarizer 205, a first substrate 210, a first electrode220, a first alignment layer 225, liquid crystals 235, liquid crystals237, protrusions 260 s, a second alignment layer 240, a second electrode245, a second substrate 250, and a second polarizer 255. Liquid crystals235 form the first domain of the pixel and liquid crystals 237 form thesecond domain of the pixel. When an electric field is applied betweenfirst electrode 220 and second electrode 245, protrusions 260 causeliquid crystals 235 to tilt in a different direction than liquidcrystals 237. Thus, a viewer 272 that is left of center would see theleft domain (liquid crystals 235) as black and the right domain (liquidcrystals 237) as white. A viewer 274 that is centered would see bothdomains as gray. A viewer 276 that is right of center would see the leftdomain as white and the right domain as black. However, because theindividual pixels are small, all three viewers would perceive the pixelas being gray. As explained above, the amount of tilting of the liquidcrystals is controlled by the strength of the electric field betweenelectrodes 220 and 245. The level of grayness perceived by the viewerdirectly related to the amount of tilting of the liquid crystals. MVALCDs can also be extended to use four domains so that the LC orientationin a pixel is divided into 4 major domains to provide wide symmetricalviewing angles both vertically and horizontally.

Thus, multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays, providewide symmetrical viewing angles, however, the cost of manufacturing MVALCDs are very high due to the difficulty of adding protrusions to thetop and bottom substrates and the difficulty of properly aligning theprotrusions on the top and bottom substrates. Specifically, a protrusionon the bottom substrate must be located at the center of two protrusionson the top substrate; any misalignment between the top and bottomsubstrates will reduce the product yield. Other techniques of usingphysical features to the substrates, such as ITO slits, which have beenused in place of or in combination with the protrusions, are also veryexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the protrusions and ITO slitsinhibit light transmission and thus reduce the brightness of the MVALCDs. Hence, there is a need for a method or system that can providemulti-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays, without theneed for difficult to manufacture physical features such as protrusionsand ITO-slits, and without the need to have ultra precise alignment ofthe top and bottom substrates.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention provides a MVA LCD that does notrequire protrusions or ITO slits. Thus manufacturing of MVA LCDs inaccordance with the present invention is less expensive thanconventional MVA LCDs. Specifically, a MVA LCD in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention subdivides a pixel into colorcomponents, which are further subdivided into color dots. Furthermoredrive component areas, where the switching elements and storagecapacitors may be located are converted to associated dots by adding anelectrode that can be electrically biased. In most embodiments of thepresent invention, the color dots and associated dots (which areelectrically biased) are arrange to form a checkerboard pattern of dotpolarities or alternating row pattern of dot polarities. Fringe fieldsin each color dot are amplified by the different dot polarities ofneighboring color dots or associate dots. The amplified fringe fields ofa color dot cause the liquid crystals inside the color dot toreorientate and tilt in different direction to form multiple crystaldomains.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pixel includes a firstcolor component with a first first-component color dot, a firstswitching element, and a first associated dot. The first first-componentcolor dot has an electrode coupled to the first switching element, whichis located within the first associated dot. The first switching elementand the first first-component color dot have a first polarity and theassociated dot has a second polarity. The first first-component colordot is horizontally aligned with the first associated dot and verticallyseparated from the first associated dot by at least a vertical dotspacing. A second associated dot is horizontally aligned with the firstassociated dot. A second switching element is located in the secondassociated dot. The second switching element is coupled to an electrodeof a first second-component color dot. Various other embodiments of thepresent invention adds addition color dots, switching elements, andassociated dots.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pixel includes a firstcolor component with a first first-component color dot, a firstswitching element, a first associated dot, second color component with afirst second-component color dot, a second switching element, a secondassociated dot. The first switching element is coupled to an electrodeof the first first-component color dot and an electrode of the firstassociated dot. The second switching element is coupled to an electrodeof the first second-component color dot and an electrode of the secondassociated dot. The first switching element, the first first-componentcolor dot, and the first associated dot have a first polarity. The firstswitching element, the first second-component color dot, and the secondassociated dot have a second polarity. and the associated dot has asecond polarity. Various other embodiments of the present invention addsaddition color dots, switching elements, and associated dots.

The present invention will be more fully understood in view of thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a)-1(c) are three illustrations of a pixel of a conventionalsingle domain vertical alignment LCD.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a pixel of a conventional multi-domainvertical alignment LCD.

FIGS. 3( a)-3(b) illustrate a multi-domain vertical alignment liquidcrystal display in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4( c)-4(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4( e) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5( a)-5(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5( c)-5(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5( e)-5(f) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5( g)-5(h) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6( a) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6( b) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7( a) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7( b) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8( a)-8(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8( c)-8(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8( e)-8(f) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8( g)-8(h) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8( i) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9( a)-9(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9( c)-9(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9( e) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10( a)-10(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10( c) illustrates a pixel design in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10( d) illustrates a pixel design in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10( e) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11( a)-11(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12( a)-12(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13( a)-13(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13( d)-13(e) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13( f) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13( g)-13(h) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13( i) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14( a)-14(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15( a)-15(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16( a)-16(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17( a)-17(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17( c) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18( a)-18(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18( c)-18(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18( e) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19( a)-19(b) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19( c)-19(d) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19( e)-19(f) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19( g)-19(h) illustrate a pixel design in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19( i) illustrates a liquid crystal display in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As explained above, conventional MVA LCDs are very expensive tomanufacture due to the use of physical features, such as protrusions orITO slits, for creating the multiple domains of each pixel. However, MVALCDs in accordance with the principles of the present invention usefringe fields to create multiple-domains and do not require the use ofphysical features (such as protrusions or ITO slits) on the substrate.Furthermore, without the requirement of physical features the difficultyof aligning the physical features of the top and bottom substrate isalso eliminated. Thus, MVA LCDs in accordance with the present inventionare higher yield and less expensive to manufacture than conventional MVALCDs.

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) illustrate the basic concept used in accordancewith the present invention to create a multi-domain vertical alignmentliquid crystal display (MVA LCD) 300 without resorting to physicalfeatures on the substrates. Specifically FIG. 3 shows pixels 310, 320,and 330 in between a first substrate 305 and a second substrate 355. Afirst polarizer 302 is attached to first substrate 305 and a secondpolarizer 357 is attached to second substrate 355. Pixel 310 includes afirst electrode 311, liquid crystals 312, liquid crystals 313 and asecond electrode 315. Pixel 320 includes a first electrode 321, liquidcrystals 322, liquid crystals 323 and a second electrode 325. Similarly,pixel 330 includes a first electrode 331, liquid crystals 332, liquidcrystals 333 and a second electrode 335. The electrodes are typicallyconstructed using a transparent conductive material such as ITO.Furthermore, a first alignment layer 307 covers the electrodes on firstsubstrate 305. Similarly a second alignment layer 352 covers theelectrodes on second substrate 355. Both LC alignment layers 307 and 352provide a vertical LC alignment. As explained in more detail below,electrodes 315, 325, and 335 are held at a common voltage V_Com.Therefore, to ease manufacturing, electrodes 315, 325, and 335 arecreated as a single structure (as shown in FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b)). MVALCD 300 operates pixels 310, 320, and 330 using alternating polarities.For example, if the polarities of pixels 310 and 330 are positive thenthe polarity of pixel 320 would be negative. Conversely, if thepolarities of pixel 310 and 330 are negative then the polarity of pixel320 would be positive. Generally, the polarity of each pixel wouldswitch between frames, but the pattern of alternating polarities ismaintained in each frame. In FIG. 3( a), pixels 310, 320, and 330 are inthe “OFF” state, i.e. with the electric field between the first andsecond electrodes turned off. In the “OFF” state some residual electricfield may be present between the first and second electrode. However,the residual electric field is generally too small to tilt the liquidcrystals.

In FIG. 3( b), pixels 310, 320, and 330 are in the “ON” state. 3(b) uses“+” and “−” to denote the voltage polarity of the electrodes. Thus,electrodes 311, and 331 have positive voltage polarity and electrodes321 has negative voltage polarity. Substrate 355 and electrodes 315,325, and 335 are kept at common voltage V_com. The voltage polarity isdefined with respect to the V_com voltage, where a positive polarity isobtained for voltages higher than V_com, and a negative polarity isobtained for voltage smaller than V_com. Electric field 327 (illustratedusing field lines) between electrodes 321 and 325 causes liquid crystals322 and liquid crystals 323 to tilt. In general, without protrusions orother features the tilting direction of the liquid crystals is not fixedfor liquid crystals with a vertical LC alignment layers at 307 and 352.However, the fringe field at the edges of the pixel can influence thetilting direction of the liquid crystals. For example, electric field327 between electrode 321 and electrode 325 is vertical around thecenter of pixel 320 but is tilted to the left in the left part of thepixel, and tiled to the right in the right part of the pixel. Thus, thefringe field between electrode 321 and electrode 325 cause liquidcrystals 323 to tilt to the right to form one domain and cause liquidcrystals 322 to tilt to the left to from a second domain. Thus, pixel320 is a multi-domain pixel with a wide symmetrical viewing angle

Similarly, the electric field (not shown) between electrode 311 andelectrode 315 would have fringe fields that cause liquid crystals 313 toreorientate and tilt to the right in the right side in pixel 310 andcause liquid crystals 312 to tilt to the left in the left side in pixel310. Similarly, the electric field (not shown) between electrode 331 andelectrode 335 would have fringe fields that cause liquid crystals 333 totilt to the right in the right side in pixel 330 and cause liquidcrystals 332 to tilt to the left in the left side in pixel 330.

Alternating polarity of adjacent pixels amplifies the fringe fieldeffect in each pixel. Therefore, by repeating the alternating polaritypattern between rows of pixels (or columns of pixels), a multi domainvertical alignment LCD is achieved without physical features.Furthermore, an alternating polarity checkerboard pattern can be used tocreate four domains in each pixel.

However, fringe field effects are relatively small and weak, in general.Consequently, as pixels become larger, the fringe fields at the edge ofthe pixels would not reach all the liquid crystals within a pixel. Thus,in large pixels the direction of tilting for the liquid crystals notnear the edge of the pixels would exhibit random behavior and would notproduce a multi-domain pixel. Generally, fringe field effects of pixelswould not be effective to control liquid crystal tilt when the pixelsbecome larger than 40-60 μm. Therefore, for large pixel LCDs a novelpixel division method is used to achieve multi-domain pixels.Specifically, for color LCDs, pixels are divided into color components.Each color component is controlled by a separate switching device, suchas a thin-film transistor (TFT). Generally, the color components arered, green, and blue. In accordance with the present invention, thecolor components of a pixel are further divided into color dots.

The polarity of each pixel switches between each successive frame ofvideo to prevent image quality degradation, which may result fromtwisting the liquid crystals in the same direction in every frame.However, the dot polarity switching may cause other image quality issuessuch as flicker if all the switching elements are of the same polarity.To minimize flicker, the switching elements (e.g. are transistors) arearranged in a switching element driving scheme that include positive andnegative polarities. Furthermore, to minimize cross talk the positiveand negative polarities of the switching elements should be arranged ina uniform pattern, which provides a more uniform power distribution.Various switching element driving schemes are used by the embodiments ofthe present invention. The three main switching element driving schemesare switching element point inversion driving scheme, switching elementrow inversion driving scheme, and switching element column inversiondriving scheme. In the switching element point inversion driving scheme,the switching elements form a checkerboard pattern of alternatingpolarities. In the switching element row inversion driving scheme, theswitching elements on each row have the same polarity; however, eachswitching element in one row has the opposite polarity as compared tothe polarity of switching elements in adjacent rows. In the switchingelement column inversion driving scheme, the switching elements on eachcolumn have the same polarity; however, a switching element in onecolumn has the opposite polarity as compared to the polarity ofswitching elements in adjacent columns. While the switching elementpoint inversion driving scheme provides the most uniform powerdistribution, the complexity and additional costs of switching elementpoint inversion driving scheme over switching element row inversiondriving scheme or switching element column inversion driving scheme maynot be cost effective. Thus, most LCD displays for low cost or lowvoltage applications are manufactured using switching element rowinversion driving scheme while switching element point inversion drivingscheme is usually reserved for high performance applications.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(d) illustrate novel spread pixel designs that are usedtogether in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thecolor dots of a spread pixel are spread out to allow color dots ofmultiple spread pixels to be interleaved. Specifically, FIGS. 4( a) and4(b) show different dot polarity patterns of a spread pixel design 410(labeled 410+ and 410− as described below) that use a switching elementrow inversion driving scheme. In actual operation a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. For clarity, the dot polarity pattern, inwhich the first color dot of the first color component has a positivepolarity, is referred to as the positive dot polarity pattern.Conversely, the dot polarity pattern in which the first color dot of thefirst color component has a negative polarity is referred to as thenegative dot polarity pattern. Specifically, in FIG. 4( a), pixel design410 has a positive dot polarity pattern (and is thus labeled 410+) andin FIG. 4( b), pixel design 410 has a negative dot polarity pattern (andis thus labeled 410−). In pixel design 410, all the color dots have thesame polarity for each dot polarity pattern, however other embodimentsof the present invention may have color dots with different polaritieswith the other driving schemes.

Spread pixel design 410 has three color components. Each of the threecolor components is divided into two color dots. For clarity, the colordots are referenced as CD_X_Y, where X is a color component (from 1 to3) and Y is a dot number (from 1 to 2). In addition, pixel design 410includes an associated dot (AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3) for each colorcomponent. A switching element (SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3) for each colorcomponent is located within the associated dot. Spread pixel design 410,like many other embodiments of the present invention, incorporates theassociated dots in various dot polarity patterns (as described below) toamplify the intrinsic fringe field effects to enhance and control themultiple domains of liquid crystals. Furthermore, in many embodiments ofthe present invention, the associated dot is opaque, which improvesblack output in displays. In other embodiments the associated dot iscolored the same as the associated color component. In most embodimentsof the present invention thin film transistors are used as the switchingelements.

In many embodiments of the present invention, the associated dot coversthe drive component area that is occupied by the switching device and/orstorage capacitor as well as the area that was used to manufacture theswitching device and/or storage capacitors. For these embodiments, theassociated dots are manufactured by depositing an insulating layer overthe switching device and/or storage capacitors. Followed by depositingan electrically conductive layer to form the associated dot. Theassociated dots are electrically connected to specific switching devicesand or certain color dots. The storage capacitors are electricallyconnected to specific switching devices and color dot electrodes tocompensate and offset the capacitance change on the liquid crystal cellsduring the switching-on and switching-off processes of the liquidcrystal cells. Consequently, the storage capacitors are used to reducethe cross-talk effects during the switching-on and switching-offprocesses of the liquid crystal cells. A patterning mask is used when itis necessary to form the patterned electrode for the associated dots. Acolor layer is added to form a light shield for the associated dot. Ingeneral, the color layer is black however some embodiments use differentcolor to achieve a desired color pattern or shading. In some embodimentsof the present invention, the color layer is manufactured on top orunderneath the switching element. Other embodiments may also place acolor layer on top of the glass substrate of the display.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the associated dot is anarea independent of the switching elements. Furthermore, someembodiments of the present invention, have additional associated dotsnot directly related to the switching elements. Generally, theassociated dot includes an active electrode layer such as ITO or otherconductive layer, and is connected to a nearby color dot or powered insome other manner. For opaque associated dots, a black matrix layer canbe added on the bottom of the conductive layer to form the opaque area.In some embodiments of the present invention, the black matrix can befabricated on the ITO glass substrate side to simplify the fabricationprocess. The additional associated dots improve the effective use ofdisplay area to improve the aperture ratio and to form the multipleliquid crystal domains within the color dots. Some embodiments of thepresent invention use associate dots to improve color performance. Forexample, careful placement of associated dots can allow the color ofnearby color dots to be modified from the usual color pattern.

In general, the color dots and associated dots are arranged in a gridpattern, where each dot (color or associated) is separated from adjacentdots by a horizontal dot spacing HDS and a vertical dot spacing VDS.However in many embodiments of the present invention color dots andassociated dots could be of different size or shapes. In theseembodiments the rows for the associated dots will have a differentheight than rows with color dots.

In pixel design 410, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 is separated from associateddot AD_2 by a horizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2is separated from associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned within associateddots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively. The first color component ofspread pixel design 410 has two color dots CD_1_1 and CD_1_2 in aright-left zigzag pattern (as used herein a right-left zigzag patternincludes a first color dot and a second color dot to the left and belowthe first color dot). The first color component is arranged so thatcolor dot CD_1_2 is horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_1 andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_1 by a vertical dot offset VDOso that color dot CD_1_2 is vertically separated from associated dotAD_1 by vertical dot spacing VDS. Vertical dot offset VDO as used hereinrefers to the distance which causes the “offset” dots to be verticallyseparated by vertical dot spacing VDS and thus is dependent on the colordot height or associated dot height. For example if the color dot heightis equal to the associated dot height the vertical dot offset is equalto the color dot height plus the vertical dot spacing. In general, toimprove the optical transmission, vertical dot spacing VDS is muchsmaller than the color dot heights. Horizontal dot offset HDO is usedsimilarly for horizontal offsets. In general, to have properly amplifiedfringe field effects, the vertical dot spacing is equal to thehorizontal dot spacing for the color dot. “Above” and “below” denotepositioning in the plane of the page. The electrode in color dot CD_1_2is coupled to switching element SE_1 and the electrode of color dotCD_1_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrode of colordot CD_1_2. Generally, the electrodes and conductors are formed atransparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Thesecond color component of spread pixel design 410 has two color dotsCD_2_1 and CD_2_2, in a right-left zigzag pattern. The second colorcomponent is arranged so that color dot CD_2_1 and is horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_3 offset vertically below associated dotAD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO (Thus, color dot CD_2_1 is verticallyseparated from associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot spacing VDS). Theelectrode of color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2 andthe electrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2via the electrode of color dot CD_2_1. As explained below, the electrodeof associated dot AD_2 is also coupled to switching element SE_2.Therefore, many embodiments of the present invention would couple theelectrode of CD_2_1 to switching element SE_2 via the electrode ofassociated dot AD_2. The third color component of spread pixel design410 has two color dots CD_3_1, and CD_3_2 in a right-left zigzag patternand arranged so that color dot CD_3_2 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_3 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_3 byvertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 and the electrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupledto switching element SE_3 via the electrode of color dot CD_3_2.

As explained above fringe fields in each of the color dots are amplifiedif adjacent dots have opposite polarities. The present invention makesuse of the associated dots as well as the color dots to achieve multipleliquid crystal domains. In general, the polarities of associated dotsare assigned so that the associated dot polarity is the opposite of thepolarity of any neighboring color dots. Furthermore, in many embodimentsof the present invention using pixel design 410, the color dots and theassociated dots are assigned so that a checkerboard pattern ofpolarities is formed.

The polarity of the color dots, associated dots, and switching elementsare shown using “+” and “−” signs. Thus, in FIG. 4( a), switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”. Associated dot AD_2 also has positivepolarity; however, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negative polarity,as denoted by “−”. Associated dot AD_1 is adjacent to associated dotAD_2 and color dot CD_1_2, thus to have a checkerboard pattern ofpolarities (as described below), the polarity of associated dot AD_1 isopposite of the polarity of associated dot AD_2 (and color dot CD_1_2.Similarly, the polarity of associated dot AD_3 is opposite the polarityof associated dot AD_2. FIG. 4( b) shows pixel design 410 with thenegative dot polarity pattern. For the negative dot polarity pattern,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havenegative polarity. Associated dot AD_2 also has negative polarity;however, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity for thereasons described above. Because associated dot AD_2 has the samepolarity as switching element SE_2, the electrode of associated dot AD_2can be coupled to switching element SE_2. However, associated dots AD_1and AD_3 have polarities that are opposite switching elements SE_1,SE_2, and SE_3. Thus, the electrode of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 arecoupled to another switching element.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. Thus, thecolor dots that are diagonally adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3will have the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of thepresent invention the electrode of associated dot AD_1 is coupled to theelectrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot from anotherpixel. Similarly, the electrode of associated dot AD_3 is coupled to theelectrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot from anotherpixel. In the particular embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 4( a) and 4(b), associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled to thecolor dot that is to the right and below associated dots AD_1 and AD_3,respectively. For clarity these connections are illustrated by ITOconnectors 411 and 412, respectively

FIGS. 4( c) and 4(d) show different dot polarity patterns of a spreadpixel design 420 (labeled 420+ and 420−) that can be used in a displayusing a switching element row inversion driving scheme. As explainedabove, a pixel will switch between a first dot polarity pattern and asecond dot polarity pattern between each image frame. Specifically, inFIG. 4( c), pixel design 420 has a positive dot polarity pattern (and islabeled 420+) and in FIG. 4( d), pixel design 420 has a negative dotpolarity pattern (and is labeled 420−). Like pixel design 410, all thecolor dots in pixel design 420 also have the same polarity for each dotpolarity pattern, however other embodiments of the present invention mayhave color dots with different polarities.

Spread pixel design 420 has three color components. Each of the threecolor components is further divided into two color dots. In addition,pixel design 420 includes an associated dot (AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3) foreach color component. A switching element (SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3), foreach color component is located within the associated dot.

In pixel design 420, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 is separated from associateddot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2is separated from associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.

The first color component of spread pixel design 420 has two color dotsCD_1_1 and CD_1_2 in a right-left zigzag pattern. The first colorcomponent is arranged so that color dot CD_1_1 is horizontally alignedwith associated dot AD_2 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_2by vertical dot offset VDO so that associated dot AD_2 is verticallyseparated from color dot CD_1_1 by vertical dot spacing VDS. Theelectrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1 andthe electrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1via the electrode of color dot CD_1_1. The second color component ofspread pixel design 420 has two color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, in aright-left zigzag pattern and is arranged so that color dot CD_2_2 andis horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_2 offset vertically aboveassociated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of colordot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2 and the electrode ofcolor dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodeof color dot CD_2_2. The third color component of spread pixel design420 has two color dots CD_3_1, and CD_3_2 in a right-left zigzag patternand arranged so that color dot CD_3_1 is offset horizontally to theright of associated dot AD_3 by a horizontal dot offset HDO, so thatcolor dot CD_3_1 is horizontally separated from associated dot AD_3 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS, and offset vertically below associated dotAD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO, so that color dot CD_3_1 is verticallyseparated from associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot spacing VDS. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3 andthe electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3via the electrode of color dot CD_3_1.

The polarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned sothat a checkerboard pattern of polarities can be formed using pixeldesign 410 and pixel design 420 as described below and illustrated inFIG. 4( e). In FIG. 4( c) pixel design 420 is in the positive dotpolarity pattern. Therefore, switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3,and all of the color dots have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have positive polarity; however,associated dot AD_2 has negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. Associateddot AD_2 is adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 and color dotsCD_1_1 and CD_2_2, thus to have a checkerboard pattern of polarities (asdescribed below), the polarity of associated dot AD_2 is opposite of thepolarity of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 and color dots CD_1_1 andCD_2_2. FIG. 4( d) shows pixel design 420 with the negative dot polaritypattern. For the negative dot polarity pattern, switching elements SE_1,SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negative polarity.Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have negative polarity; however,associated dot AD_2 has positive polarity for the reasons describedabove. Because associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have the same polarity asswitching element SE_1 and SE_3, respectively, the electrode ofassociated dots AD_1 and AD_3 can be coupled to switching elements SE_1and SE_3, respectively. However, associated dot2 AD_2 has a polaritythat is the opposite of switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3. Thus,the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to another switchingelement.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. Thus, thecolor dots that are diagonally adjacent to associated dot AD_2 shouldhave the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to theelectrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot from anotherpixel. In the particular embodiment of the present invention embodied inpixel design 420, the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to theelectrode of the color dot that is to the right and below associated dotAD_2 as are illustrated by ITO connections 421.

FIG. 4( e) shows a portion of a display 400 that combines pixels usingpixel designs 410 and pixel design 420 to create a checkerboard patternof color dot polarities. For clarity, the gate lines and source linesthat power the switching elements are omitted in FIG. 4( e). Gate linesand source lines are illustrated and described in details in otherFigures. Furthermore, the background area of each pixel is shaded tomore clearly show the components of each pixel. This shading is forillustrative purposes only. Each row of display 400 has alternatingpixels of pixel design 410 and pixel design 420. For example in row 0,pixel P(0,0) uses pixel design 410 and pixel P(1,0) uses pixel design420. Pixel P(2,0) (not shown) would use pixel design 410. Similarly, inrow 1, pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 410 and pixel P(1,1) uses pixeldesign 420, and pixel P(2,1) (not shown) uses pixel design 410. Within arow the associated dots of adjacent pixels are vertically aligned andhorizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled inFIG. 4( e)). The rows in display 400 are horizontally aligned andvertically interleaved so that some color dots from row 0 are verticallyaligned with some of the color dots of row 1. Specifically, color dotCD_1_1 of pixel P(0,0) is vertically aligned with color dot CD_2_1 ofpixel P(0,1).

All the pixels on a row have the same polarity. However, alternatingrows have different polarities. Thus for example, row 0 is shown withpositive dot polarity while row 1 is show with negative dot polarity. Inthe next frame row 0 would have negative dot polarity while row 1 wouldhave positive dot polarity. In general, even numbered rows have a firstdot polarity pattern and odd number rows have a second dot polaritypattern. This arrangement of row polarity is an example of switchingelement row inversion driving scheme, which is often referred to assimply “row inversion.” In general a pixel P(X,Y) in display 400 usespixel design 410 where Y is even and uses pixel design 420 where Y isodd. Furthermore, pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity pattern when Yis even and a second dot polarity pattern when Y is odd. In a particularembodiment of the present invention, each color dot has a width of 43micrometers and a height of 47 micrometers. Each associated dot has awidth of 43 micrometers and a height of 39 micrometers. The horizontaland vertical dot spacing is 4 micrometers.

As illustrated in FIG. 4( e), using the pixel designs described above,display 400 has a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities. Thus, eachcolor dot will have four liquid crystal domains. Because each row ofswitching elements have the same polarity, while alternating rows ofswitching elements of opposite polarity, display 400 can achieve fourliquid crystal domains while only requiring a switching element rowinversion driving scheme.

The principles of the present invention embodied by pixel designs 410and 420 are applicable to many other pixel designs. Using the sameprinciples described above one skilled in the art can adapt theteachings presented herein for use with displays using other pixeldesigns. For example, another embodiment of the present invention canuse a left-right zigzag pattern for each color component (as used hereina left-right zigzag pattern includes a first color dot and a secondcolor dot to the right and below the first color dot.

Furthermore, many embodiments of the present invention have more thantwo color dots per color component. For example, FIGS. 5( a)-5(h) showfour additional spread pixel designs (510, 520, 530 and 540) each havingthree color dots per color components. Like pixel design 410, all thecolor dots in pixel designs 510, 520, 530, and 540 have the samepolarity for each dot polarity pattern. Spread pixel design 510, 520,530 and 540 have three color components. Each of the three colorcomponents is further divided into three color dots. In addition, spreadpixel designs 510, 520, 530 and 540 include an associated dot (AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3) for each color component. A switching element (SE_1,SE_2, and SE_3), for each color component is located within theassociated dot. Associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 is separated from associateddot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled due to spaceconstraints). Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated fromassociated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.

Specifically, FIG. 5( a) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of aspread pixel design 510 (labeled as 510+). As explained above, a pixelwill switch between a first dot polarity pattern and a second dotpolarity pattern between each image frame. In pixel design 510, thefirst color component of spread pixel design 510 has three color dotsCD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 arranged in a right-left-right zigzagpattern. The first color component is positioned so that color dotCD_1_1 is horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_1 and offsetvertically below associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Theelectrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1; theelectrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 viathe electrode of color dot CD_1_1; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_3is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dotsCD_1_2 and CD_1_1. The second color component of spread pixel design 510has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in aleft-right-left zigzag pattern. The second color component is positionedso that color dot CD_2_3 is offset horizontally to the left ofassociated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS and offset verticallyabove associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The electrodein color dot CD_2_3 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via theelectrode of associated dot AD_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 iscoupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dot CD_2_3and associated dot AD_2; and the electrode of color dot CD_2_1 iscoupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dotsCD_2_3 and CD_2_2 and associated dot AD_2. Some embodiments of thepresent invention may couple the electrode of color dot CD_2_3 withoutusing the electrode of associated dot AD_2. The third color component ofspread pixel design 510 has three color dots CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3arranged in a right-left-right zigzag pattern. The third color componentis positioned so that color dot CD_3_1 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_3 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_3 byvertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_3 is positioned withinassociated dot AD_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_3; the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrode of color dot CD_3_1; and theelectrode of color dot CD_3_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 and CD_3_1.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 5( a)pixel design 510 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dot AD_2 also has positive polarity. Thus, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 can be coupled to switching elementSE_2. However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negative polarity, asdenoted by “−”. In a checkerboard pattern of polarities, the color dotsthat are diagonally adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 shouldhave the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the electrode of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled tothe electrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot from anotherpixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 510, the electrodeof associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled to the electrode of thecolor dots that are to the right and below associated dot AD_1 and AD_3,respectively. For clarity, these connections are illustrated by ITOconnectors 511 and 512, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 5( b), whenpixel design 510 (labeled 510−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havenegative polarity. Associated dot AD_2 also has negative polarity.However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity.

FIG. 5( c) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 520 (labeled 520+). As explained above, a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. In pixel design 520, the first color componentof spread pixel design 520 has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, andCD_1_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. The first colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_1_3 is offset horizontallyto the left of associated dot AD_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO.As explained in more detail below, the electrode of associated dot AD_1is coupled to switching element SE_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_3is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrode of associated dotAD_1; the electrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_1 via the electrodes of color dot CD_1_3 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_1; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dots CD_1_2 andCD_1_3 and the electrode of associated dot AD_1. In some embodiments ofthe present invention, the electrode of color dot CD_1_3 is coupleddirectly to switching element SE_1. The second color component of spreadpixel design 520 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3arranged in a right-left-right zigzag pattern. The second Colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_2_1 is horizontally alignedwith associated dot AD_2 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_2by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_2_1 is coupledto switching element SE_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupledto switching element SE_2 via the electrode of color dot CD_2_1; and theelectrode of color dot CD_2_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2. The third colorcomponent of spread pixel design 510 has three color dots CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. Thethird color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3_3 is offsethorizontally to the left of associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot offsetHDO and offset vertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dotoffset VDO. The electrode of associated dot AD_3 is coupled to switchingelement SE_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_3 is coupled to switchingelement SE_3 via the electrode of associated dot AD_3; the electrode ofcolor dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrodeof color dot CD_3_3 and the electrode of associated dot AD_3; and theelectrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 and CD_3_3 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3. Some embodiments of the present invention maycouple the electrode of color dot CD_3_3 directly to switching elementSE_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 5( c)pixel design 520 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Therefore,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have positive polarity.Therefore, the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 can becoupled to switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, respectively. However,associated dot AD_2 should have negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. Ina checkerboard pattern of polarities, the color dots that are diagonallyadjacent to associated dot AD_2 should have the appropriate polarity.Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention the electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 is coupled to the electrode of at least onediagonally adjacent color dot from another pixel. In the particularembodiment of pixel design 520, the electrode of associated dot AD_2 iscoupled to the electrode of the color dot that is to the right and belowassociated dot AD_2. For clarity, this connection is illustrated by ITOconnector 522. As illustrated in FIG. 5( d), when pixel design 520(labeled as 520−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negativepolarity. Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have negative polarity.However, associated dot AD_2 has positive polarity.

FIG. 5( e) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 530 (labeled 530+). As explained above, a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. In pixel design 530, the first color componentof spread pixel design 530 has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, andCD_1_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. The first colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_1_1 is offset horizontallyto the left of associated dot AD_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO andoffset vertically below associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO.The electrode of associated dot AD_1 is coupled to switching elementSE_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switching elementSE_1 via the electrode of associated dot AD_1; the electrode of colordot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrode ofcolor dot CD_1_1 and the electrode of associated dot AD_1; and theelectrode of color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_1_2 and CD_1_1 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_1. The second color component of spread pixel design530 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in aright-left-right zigzag pattern. The second color component ispositioned so that color dot CD_2_3 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_2 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_2 byvertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_2_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_2 via the electrode of color dot CD_2_3; and theelectrode of color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_2_3 and CD_2_2. The third colorcomponent of spread pixel design 530 has three color dots CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. Thethird color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3_1 is offsethorizontally to the left of associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot offsetHDO and offset vertically below associated dot AD_3 by vertical dotspacing VDO. The electrode of associated dot AD_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrode of associated dot AD_3; theelectrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrode of color dot CD_3_1 and the electrode of associate dotAD_3; and the electrode of color dot CD_3_3 is coupled to switchingelement SE_3 via the electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 and CD_3_1 and theelectrode of associate dot AD_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 5( e)pixel design 530 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Therefore,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have positive polarity.Thus, the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 can be coupled toswitching elements SE_1 and SE_3, respectively. However, associated dotAD_2 has negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. In a checkerboard patternof polarities, the color dots that are diagonally adjacent to associateddot AD_2 should have the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodimentsof the present invention the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupledto the electrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot fromanother pixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 530, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to the electrode of thecolor dot that is to the right and above associated dot AD_2. Thisconnection is illustrated by ITO connector 532. As illustrated in FIG.5( f) when pixel design 530 in the negative dot polarity pattern(labeled 530−), switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of thecolor dots have negative polarity. Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 alsohave negative polarity. However, associated dot AD_2 has positivepolarity.

FIG. 5( g) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 540 (labeled 540+). As explained above, a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. In pixel design 540, the first color componentof spread pixel design 510 has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, andCD_1_3 arranged in a right-left-right zigzag pattern. The first colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_1_1 is horizontally alignedwith associated dot AD_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Theelectrode in color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1; theelectrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 viathe electrode of color dot CD_1_3; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dotsCD_1_2 and CD_1_3. The second color component of spread pixel design 540has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in aleft-right-left zigzag pattern. The second color component is positionedso that color dot CD_2_1 is offset horizontally to the left ofassociated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot offset HDO and offset verticallybelow associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The electrodein color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2; the electrodeof color dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via theelectrode of color dot CD_2_1 and the electrode of associated dot AD_2;and the electrode of color dot CD_2_3 is coupled to switching elementSE_2 via the electrodes of color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2 and theelectrode of associated dot AD_2. The third color component of spreadpixel design 540 has three color dots CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3arranged in a right-left-right zigzag pattern. The third color componentis positioned so that color dot CD_3_3 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_3 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_3 byvertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_3_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_3; the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrode of color dot CD_3_3; and theelectrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 and CD_3_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 5( g)pixel design 540 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Therefore,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dot AD_2 also has positive polarity. Thus, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2.However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negative polarity, asdenoted by “−”. In a checkerboard pattern of polarities, the color dotsthat are diagonally adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 shouldhave the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the electrode of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled tothe electrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot from anotherpixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 540, the electrodeof associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled to the electrode of thecolor dots that are to the right and above associated dot AD_1 and AD_3,respectively. These connections are illustrated by ITO connectors 542and 544, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 5( h), when pixel design540 is in the negative dot polarity pattern (labeled as 540−), switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negativepolarity. Associated dot AD_2 also has negative polarity. However,associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity, as denoted by “−”.

FIG. 6( a)) shows a portion of a display 600 that combines pixels usingpixel designs 510, 520, 530 and 540 to create a checkerboard pattern ofcolor dot polarities. For clarity, the gate lines and source lines thatpower the switching elements are omitted in FIG. 6( a). Gate lines andsource lines are illustrated and described in details in FIG. 6( b).Furthermore, the background area of each pixel is shaded to more clearlyshow the components of each pixel. This shading is for illustrativepurposes only. Each odd-numbered row of display 600 has alternatingpixels of pixel design 540 and pixel design 530. For example in row 1,pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 540 and pixel P(1,1) uses pixel design530. Pixel P(2, 1) (not shown) would use pixel design 540. Eacheven-numbered row of display 600 has alternating pixels of pixels ofpixel design 520 and 510. For example in row 0, pixel P(0,0) uses pixeldesign 520 and pixel P(1,0) uses pixel design 510, and pixel P(2,0) (notshown) uses pixel design 520. Within a row the associated dots ofadjacent pixels are vertically aligned and horizontally separated by onehorizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled in FIG. 6( a)). The rows indisplay 600 are horizontally aligned and vertically interleaved so thatsome color dots from row 0 are vertically aligned with some of the colordots of row 1. Specifically, color dot CD_1_1 of pixel P(0,0) isvertically aligned with color dot CD_2_1 of pixel P(0, 1).

All the pixels on a row have the same polarity. However, alternatingrows have different polarities. Thus for example, row 0 is shown withpositive dot polarity while row 1 is show with negative dot polarity. Inthe next frame row 0 would have negative dot polarity while row 1 wouldhave positive dot polarity. In general, even numbered rows have a firstdot polarity pattern and odd number rows have a second dot polaritypattern. This arrangement of row polarity is an example of switchingelement row inversion driving scheme. In general a pixel P(X,Y) indisplay 600 uses pixel design 510 where X is odd and Y is even; pixeldesign 520 when X is even and Y is even; pixel design 530 when X is oddand Y is odd; and pixel design 540 where X is even and Y is odd.Furthermore, pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity pattern when Y iseven and a second dot polarity pattern when Y is odd.

As illustrated in FIG. 6( a), using the pixel designs described above,display 600 has a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities. Thus, eachcolor dot will have four liquid crystal domains. Because each row ofswitching elements have the same polarity, while alternating rows ofswitching elements of opposite polarity, display 600 achieves fourliquid crystal domains while only requiring a switching element rowinversion driving scheme.

FIG. 6( b) illustrates a slightly different portion of display 600. FIG.6 is drawn showing source lines (S1, S2, . . . S6) and gate lines G0, G1and G2. A transistor is coupled to a source line and a gate line.Specifically, gate lines are coupled to the control terminal of thetransistors and source lines are coupled to a power terminal. For MOStransistors, gate lines are couple to the gate terminal and source linesare coupled to the source terminals of the transistors. For convenience,transistors are referenced as transistor T(X,Y) where X is the sourceline coupled to the transistor and Y is the gate line. Thus transistor601 in FIG. 6 is referenced herein as transistor T(S6,G1). For clarity,associated dots are shown in dashed lines and color dots are shown withsolid lines. Furthermore, the background area of each pixel is shaded tomore clearly group the components of each pixel. This shading is forillustrative purposes only. Electrode connections are drawn in boldlines. A connection point (i.e. a dark circle) is used on the drainterminal of a transistor when the electrode of the associated dot iscoupled to the transistor. For example Transistor T(S1,G2) has aconnection point on the drain terminal to illustrate that the conductorof the associated dot is coupled to the transistor. TransistorsT(S1,G2), T(S2,G2), and T(S3,G2) are the switching elements of pixelP(0,2), which uses pixel design 520 (six color dots of pixel P(0,2) areomitted in FIG. 6 due to space limitations). Transistors T(S4, G2),T(S5,G2), and T(S6,G2) are the switching elements of pixel P(1,2), whichuses pixel design 510 (three color dots of pixel P(1,2) are omitted inFIG. 6). Transistors T(S1,G1), T(S2,G1), and T(S3,G1) are the switchingelements of pixel P(0,1), which uses pixel design 540. TransistorsT(S4,G1), T(S5,G1), and T(S6,G1) are the switching elements of pixelP(1,1), which uses pixel design 530. Transistors T(S1,G0), T(S2,G0), andT(S3,G0) are the switching elements of pixel P(0,0) which uses pixeldesign 520 (three color dots of pixel P(0,0) are omitted in FIG. 6).Transistors T(S4,G0), T(S5, G0), and T(S6,G0) are the switching elementsof pixel P(1,0), which uses pixel design 510 (six color dots of pixelP(1,0) are omitted in FIG. 6).

As explained above, a first row type (even in FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b)) isformed using pixels alternating between pixel designs 510 and 520. Asecond row type (odd) is formed using pixels alternating between pixeldesign 530 and 540. For example in row 1 (using gate line G1), pixelP(0,1) (Transistors T(S1,G1), T(S2,G1), and T(S3,G1)) uses pixel design540, pixel P(1,1) (Transistors T(S4,G1), T(S5,G1), and T(S6,G1)) usespixel design 530, pixel P(2,1) (not shown) uses pixel design 540. In row0, pixels P(0,0) uses pixel design 520, pixel P(1,0) uses pixel design510, pixel P(2,0) (not shown) uses pixel design 520, etc. Within a rowthe associated dots of adjacent pixels are vertically aligned andseparated horizontally by horizontal dot spacing HDS. The rows arehorizontally aligned and vertically interleaved so that the first andthird color components of one row are vertically aligned with the secondcolor component of an adjacent row. All the pixels on a row have thesame polarity. However, alternating rows have different polarities. Thusfor example, if row 1 has positive dot polarity, then row 0 and row 2would have negative dot polarity. In the next frame row 1 would havenegative dot polarity while row 0 and row 2 would have positive dotpolarity.

One potential issue with pixel designs 510, 520, 530, and 540 is coloralignment due to the vertical offset between the second color componentand the first and third color components of each pixel. Therefore, insome embodiments of the present invention a novel driving scheme is usedto improve the color alignment. FIG. 7( a) illustrates a display 700using the driving scheme in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 7( a) is similar to FIG. 6 except that signalsapplied to some of the source lines are delayed. Thus the description isnot repeated. Specifically, delayed source signal S2_del, S4_del, andS6_del are applied to source lines S2, S4, and S6, respectively. Thedelayed source lines can be generated using a delay line or otherconventional circuits from source signals S2, S4 and S6 (as used in FIG.6( b)). The delay period is equal to one row refresh period. Because,the delayed source signals are generated from the normal source signals,the driving circuits and controllers do not need to be modified to beused with the novel driving scheme of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7( b), the color components of the pixels arerealigned when using delayed source signals. In FIG. 7( b), thebackground areas of four pixels are shaded to highlight each pixel. Thisshading is for illustrative purposes only. A first pixel P1 includestransistors T(S1,G1), T(S2, G2), and T(S3,G1), the associated dotsencompassing the transistors, as well as the color dots within theshaded area. The first color component of pixel P1 includes the threecolor dots that are coupled to transistor T(G1,S1). The second colorcomponent of pixel P1 includes the three color dots that are coupled totransistor T(S2,G2). The third color component of pixel P1 includes thethree color dots that are coupled to transistor T(S3,G1). As illustratedin FIG. 7( b), the three color components of pixel P1 are verticallyaligned, and thus eliminate the color alignment issue of FIGS. 6(a)-6(b). However, to achieve a checkerboard pattern, the polarity of thesecond color component needs to be opposite the polarity of the firstand third color component. However, the transistor for the secondcomponent is on a different row than the transistor for the first andthird component. Furthermore, all switching elements on a row ofswitching elements (i.e. sharing a common gate line) have the samepolarity, while alternating rows of switching elements use oppositepolarities. Thus, display 700 can use switching element row inversiondriving scheme to achieve the checkerboard pattern of dot polaritieswhich results in four domains per color dots.

A second pixel P2 includes transistors T(S4,G2), T(S5,G1), and T(S6,G2),the associated dots encompassing the transistors, as well as the colordots, which are coupled to these transistor. For clarity, the associateddots and color dots of pixel P2 are highlighted with a common backgroundshading. A third pixel P3 includes transistors T(S1,G0), T(S2, G1), andT(S3,G0), the associated dots encompassing the transistors, as well asthe color dots, which are coupled to these transistors. In pixel P3, thecolor dots are coupled to the transistors via the associated dot. Forclarity, the associated dots and color dots of pixel P3 are highlightedwith a common background shading. A fourth pixel P4 includes transistorsT(S4,G1), T(S5,G0), and T(S6,G1), the associated dots encompassing thetransistors, as well as the color dots, coupled to these transistors. Inpixel P4, the color dots are coupled to the transistors via theassociated dots. For clarity, the associated dots and color dots ofpixel P4 are highlighted with a common background shading. Pixels P1,P2, P3, and P4 are described in greater detail below and illustrated inFIGS. 8( a)-8(i).

FIG. 8( a) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 810 (labeled 810+). Pixel P4 in FIG. 7( b) is an example of pixeldesign 810. In pixel design 810, the first color component has threecolor dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 arranged in a left-right-leftzigzag pattern. An associated dot AD_1 is positioned offset horizontallyto the right of color dot CD_1_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO and offsetvertically above color dot CD_1_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_1 is positioned within associated dot AD_1. Theelectrode of associated dot AD_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1.The electrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1via the electrode of associated dot AD_1; the electrode of color dotCD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodes of colordot CD_1_1 and the electrode of associated dot AD_1; and the electrodeof color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via theelectrodes of color dots CD_1_2 and CD_1_1 and the electrode associateddot AD_1. The second color component of spread pixel design 810 hasthree color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in aleft-right-left zigzag pattern. The second color component is positionedso that the second color component is vertically aligned with the firstcolor component and offset horizontally to the right of the first colorcomponent by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dot AD_2 ispositioned offset horizontally to the right of color dot cd_2_3 byhorizontal dot offset HDO and offset vertically below color dot CD_2_3by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_2 is positionedwithin associated dot AD_2. The electrode of associated dot AD_2 iscoupled to switching element SE_2. The electrode in color dot CD_2_3 iscoupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrode of associated dotAD_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_2 via the electrodes of color dot CD_2_3 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_2; and the electrode of color dot CD_2_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dots CD_2_2 andCD_2_3 and the electrode of associated dot AD_2. The third colorcomponent of spread pixel design 810 has three color dots CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. Thethird color component is positioned vertically aligned with the secondcolor component and horizontally offset to the right of the second colorcomponent by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dot AD_3 ispositioned offset horizontally to the right of color dot CD_3_1 byhorizontal dot offset HDO and offset vertically above color dot CD_3_1by vertical dot spacing VDO. A switching element SE_3 is positionedwithin associated dot AD_3. The electrode of associated dot AD_3 iscoupled to switching element SE_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_1 iscoupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrode of associated dotAD_3; the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_3 via the electrodes of color dot CD_3_1 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3; and the electrode of color dot CD_3_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 andCD_3_1 and the electrode of associated dot AD_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 8( a)pixel design 810 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3, colordots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”. Switching element SE_2, associated dot AD_2,color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have negative polarity, as denotedby “−”.

FIG. 8( b) shows the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design 810(labeled 810−). Specifically, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3,associated dot AD_1 and AD_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”; andswitching element SE_2, associated dot AD_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2,and CD_2_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “−”.

FIG. 8( c) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 820 (e.g. pixel P3 in FIG. 7( b)). In pixel design 820, the firstcolor component has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 arrangedin a left-right-left zigzag pattern. An associated dot AD_1 ispositioned offset horizontally to the right of color dot CD_1_3 byhorizontal dot offset HDO and offset vertically below color dot CD_1_3by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_1 is positionedwithin associated dot AD_1. The electrode of associated dot AD_1 iscoupled to switching element SE_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_3 iscoupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrode of associated dotAD_1; the electrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_1 via the electrodes of color dot CD_1_3 and the electrode ofassociated dot AD_1; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dots CD_1_2 andCD_1_3 and the electrode associated dot AD_1. The second color componentof spread pixel design 820 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, andCD_2_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. The second colorcomponent is positioned so that the second color component is verticallyaligned with the first color component and offset horizontally to theright of the first color component by horizontal dot offset HDO. Anassociated dot AD_2 is positioned offset horizontally to the right ofcolor dot cd_2_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO and offset verticallyabove color dot CD_2_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching elementSE_2 is positioned within associated dot AD_2. The electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The electrodein color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via theelectrode of associated dot AD_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 iscoupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dot CD_2_1and the electrode of associated dot AD_2; and the electrode of color dotCD_2_3 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of colordots CD_2_2 and CD_2_1 and the electrode of associated dot AD_2. Thethird color component of spread pixel design 820 has three color dotsCD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in a left-right-left zigzag pattern.The third color component is positioned vertically aligned with thesecond color component and horizontally offset to the right of thesecond color component by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dotAD_3 is positioned offset horizontally to the right of color dot CD_3_3by horizontal dot offset HDO and offset vertically above color dotCD_3_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_3 ispositioned within associated dot AD_3. The electrode of associated dotAD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3. The electrode in color dotCD_3_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3; the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrodes of color dot CD_3_3 and theelectrode of associated dot AD_3; and the electrode of color dot CD_3_1is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrodes of color dotsCD_3_2 and CD_3_3 and the electrode of associated dot AD_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 8( c)pixel design 820 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, associated dot AD_1 and AD_3, colordots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”. Switching element SE_2, associated dot AD_2,color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have negative polarity, as denotedby “−”.

FIG. 8( d) illustrates the negative dot polarity patter of pixel design820. Accordingly, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, associated dot AD_1and AD_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3have negative polarity as donated by “−”; and switching element SE_2,associated dot AD_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 8( e) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 830 (e.g. pixel P2 in FIG. 7( b)). In pixel design 830, the firstcolor component has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 arrangedin a right-left-right zigzag pattern. An associated dot AD_1 ispositioned aligned horizontally with CD_1_1 and offset vertically abovecolor dot CD_1_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_1 ispositioned within associated dot AD_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_1is coupled to switching element SE_1; the electrode of color dot CD_1_2is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dotCD_1_1; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1 via the electrodes of color dots CD_1_2 and CD_1_1. Thesecond color component of spread pixel design 830 has three color dotsCD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in a right-left-right zigzagpattern. The second color component is positioned so that the secondcolor component is vertically aligned with the first color component andoffset horizontally to the right of the first color component byhorizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dot AD_2 is positioned alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_2_3 and offset vertically below color dotCD_2_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_2 ispositioned within associated dot AD_2. The electrode in color dot CD_2_3is coupled to switching element SE_2; the electrode of color dot CD_2_2is coupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dotCD_2_3; and the electrode of color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_2 via the electrodes of color dots CD_2_2 and CD_2_3. Thethird color component of spread pixel design 830 has three color dotsCD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in a right-left-right zigzagpattern. The third color component is positioned vertically aligned withthe second color component and horizontally offset to the right of thesecond color component by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dotAD_3 is positioned aligned horizontally with color dot CD_3_1 and offsetvertically above color dot CD_3_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_3 is positioned within associated dot AD_3. Theelectrode in color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3; theelectrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrodes of color dot CD_3_1; and the electrode of color dotCD_3_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrodes of colordots CD_3_2 and CD_3_1.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 8( e)pixel design 830 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3,CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.Switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 havenegative polarity, as denoted by “+”. Associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 alsohave negative dot polarity, however because switching elements SE_1 andSE_3 have positive polarity, associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 receives thepositive polarity from a diagonally adjacent color dot. In theembodiment of FIG. 8( e), associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are configuredto receive polarity from a color dot (not shown) to the right and aboveeach associated dot as denoted by ITO connectors 832 and 834respectively. The conductor of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to colordot CD_3_3 to receive negative polarity by ITO connector 836.

FIG. 8( f) shows the negative dot polarity pattern for pixel design 830(labeled as 830−). When pixel design 830 is in the negative dot polaritypattern, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have negative polarity as denoted by“−”; and switching element SE_2, associated dot AD_1 and AD_3, and colordots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”

FIG. 8( g) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 840 (e.g. pixel P1 in FIG. 7( b)). In pixel design 840, the firstcolor component has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 arrangedin a right-left-right zigzag pattern. An associated dot AD_1 ispositioned aligned horizontally with color dot CD_1_3 and offsetvertically below color dot CD_1_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_1 is positioned within associated dot AD_1. Theelectrode in color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1; theelectrode of color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 viathe electrodes of color dot CD_1_3; and the electrode of color dotCD_1_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodes of colordots CD_1_2 and CD_1_3. The second color component of spread pixeldesign 840 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 arranged in aright-left-right zigzag pattern. The second color component ispositioned so that the second color component is vertically aligned withthe first color component and offset horizontally to the right of thefirst color component by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dotAD_2 is positioned aligned horizontally with color dot cd_2_1 and offsetvertically above color dot CD_2_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_2 is positioned within associated dot AD_2. Theelectrode in color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2; theelectrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2 viathe electrodes of color dot CD_2_1; and the electrode of color dotCD_2_3 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of colordots CD_2_2 and CD_2_1. The third color component of spread pixel design840 has three color dots CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 arranged in aright-left-right zigzag pattern. The third color component is positionedvertically aligned with the second color component and horizontallyoffset to the right of the second color component by horizontal dotoffset HDO. An associated dot AD_3 is positioned aligned horizontallywith color dot CD_3_3 and offset vertically below color dot CD_3_3 byvertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_3 is positioned withinassociated dot AD_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_3; the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_3 via the electrodes of color dot CD_3_3; and theelectrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3 viathe electrodes of color dots CD_3_2 and CD_3_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 8( g)pixel design 840 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3,CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.Switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 havenegative polarity, as denoted by “−”. Associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 alsohave negative polarity, however because switching elements SE_1 and SE_3have positive polarity, associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 receives thepositive polarity from a diagonally adjacent color dot. In theembodiment of FIG. 8( g), associated dots AD_1 receives negativepolarity from color dot CD_2_3 via ITO connector 842. Associated dotAD_3 is configured to receive polarity from a color dot (not shown) tothe right and above associated dot AD_2 using ITO connector 846.Conversely, associated dot AD_2 is positive polarity but switchingelement SE_2 has negative polarity. Thus, associated dot AD_2 isconfigured to receive positive polarity from a color dot (not shown) tothe right and above associated dot CD_2_3 using ITO connector 844.

FIG. 8( h) shows the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design 840(labeled as 840−). When pixel design 840 is in the negative dot polaritypattern, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 have negative polarity as denoted by“−”; and switching element SE_2, associated dot AD_1 and AD_3, colordots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have positive polarity as denoted by“+”.

FIG. 8( i) which is similar to FIG. 7( b) described above, illustrates aportion of a display 800 using pixel designs 810, 820, 830 and 840. Ingeneral, a first row type is formed using pixels alternating betweenpixel designs 820 and 810. A second row type formed using pixelsalternating between pixel design 840 and 830. Specifically in display800, pixels on even rows alternate between pixel design 820 and 810. Forexample on row 0, pixel P(0,0) uses pixel design 820, pixel P(0,1) usespixel design 810, and pixel P(0,2)(not shown) uses pixel design 820.Pixels on odd rows alternate between pixel designs 840 and 830. Forexample on row 1, pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 840, pixel P(1,1) usespixel design 830, and pixel P(2,1) (not shown) uses pixel design 840.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS.The rows are horizontally aligned and vertically interleaved so thatvertically the associated dots at the top of a first row of pixels forma row with the associated dots at the bottom of a second row of pixels.The pixels on each row have alternating dot polarity. Furthermore,pixels in each column also have alternating dot polarities. For example,pixels P(0,0) and P(1,1) have positive dot polarities and pixels P(0,1)and P(1, 0) have negative dot polarities. Even though the dot polaritypattern of each pixel on a row of pixel alternates between the positivedot polarity pattern and the negative polarity pattern, display 800 canstill use switching element row inversion driving schemes due to theplacement of the switching elements of a pixel on multiple rows andusing the delayed source lines described above with respect to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) and further described in detail in copending co-owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/751,469, entitled “Low Cost SwitchingElement Point Inversion Driving Scheme for Liquid Crystal Displays” byHiap L. Ong) which is incorporated herein by reference.

One skilled in the art can adapt the principles of the inventionpresented in FIGS. 7( a), 7(b), and 8(a)-8(i) for use with a variety ofpixel designs. For example FIGS. 9( a)-9(d) show 2 pixel designs with 2color dots per color component that can be used with the delay sourceline driving scheme. Specifically, FIG. 9( a) shows the positive dotpolarity pattern of a spread pixel design 910 (labeled 910+). In pixeldesign 910, the first color component has two color dots CD_1_1 andCD_1_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. An associated dot AD_1is positioned offset horizontally to the left of CD_1_1 by horizontaldot offset HDO and offset vertically above color dot CD_1_1 by verticaldot offset VDO. A switching element SE_1 is positioned within associateddot AD_1. The electrode in associated dot AD_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1 via the electrode in associated dot AD_1; and the electrodeof color dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via theelectrodes of color dot CD_1_1 and the electrode in associated dot AD_1.The second color component of spread pixel design 910 has two color dotsCD_2_1 and CD_2_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. The secondcolor component is positioned so that the second color component isvertically aligned with the first color component and offsethorizontally to the right of the first color component by horizontal dotoffset HDO. An associated dot AD_2 is positioned aligned horizontallywith color dot cd_2_2 and offset vertically below color dot CD_2_2 byvertical dot offset VDO. A switching element SE_2 is positioned withinassociated dot AD_2. The electrode in color dot CD_2_2 is coupled toswitching element SE_2; and the electrode of color dot CD_2_1 is coupledto switching element SE_2 via the electrodes of color dot CD_2_2. Thethird color component of spread pixel design 910 has two color dotsCD_3_1 and CD_3_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. The thirdcolor component is positioned vertically aligned with the second colorcomponent and horizontally offset to the right of the second colorcomponent by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dot AD_3 ispositioned offset horizontally to the let of CD_3_1 by horizontal dotoffset HDO and offset vertically above color dot CD_3_1 by vertical dotoffset VDO. A switching element SE_3 is positioned within associated dotAD_3. The electrode in associated dot AD_3 is coupled to switchingelement SE_3. The electrode in color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_3 via associated dot AD_3; and the electrode of color dotCD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrodes of colordot CD_3_1 and the electrode in associated dot AD_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 9( a)pixel design 910 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3, andcolor dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2 have positive polarity asdenoted by “+”. Switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2,and CD_2_3 have negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. Associated dotAD_2, which is adjacent to color dot CD_2_2 should also have positivepolarity. However, switching element SE_2 has positive polarity.Therefore, the conductor of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to theconductor of a diagonally adjacent color dot. In the embodiment of FIG.9( a), the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is configured to be coupledto a color dot to the right and below associated dot AD_2 as shown byITO connector 912.

FIG. 9( b) shows the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design 910(labeled 910−). When pixel design 910 is in the negative dot polaritypattern, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, associated dots AD_1, AD_2,and AD_3, and color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2 havenegative polarity as denoted by “−”; and switching element SE_2, colordots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 have positive polarity as denoted by“+”.

FIG. 9( c) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 920. In pixel design 920, the first color component has two colordots CD_1_1 and CD_1_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. Anassociated dot AD_1 is positioned aligned horizontally with color dotCD_1_2 and offset vertically below color dot CD_1_2 by vertical dotspacing VDO. A switching element SE_1 is positioned within associateddot AD_1. The electrode in color dot CD_1_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1; and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_1 via the electrodes of color dot CD_1_2. Thesecond color component of spread pixel design 920 has two color dotsCD_2_1 and CD_2_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. The secondcolor component is positioned so that the second color component isvertically aligned with the first color component and offsethorizontally to the right of the first color component by horizontal dotoffset HDO. An associated dot AD_2 is positioned offset horizontally tothe left of color dot cd_2_1 by horizontal dot offset HDO and offsetvertically above color dot CD_2_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_2 is positioned within associated dot AD_2. Theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2.The electrode in color dot CD_2_1 is coupled to switching element SE_2;and the electrode of color dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_2 via the electrodes of color dot CD_2_1. Some embodiments of thepresent invention would couple the electrode of color dot CD_2_1 toswitching element SE_2 via the conductor in associated dot AD_2. Thethird color component of spread pixel design 920 has three color dotsCD_3_1 and CD_3_2 arranged in a right-left zigzag pattern. The thirdcolor component is positioned vertically aligned with the second colorcomponent and horizontally offset to the right of the second colorcomponent by horizontal dot offset HDO. An associated dot AD_3 ispositioned aligned horizontally with color dot CD_3_2 and offsetvertically below color dot CD_3_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. Aswitching element SE_3 is positioned within associated dot AD_3. Theelectrode in color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3; andthe electrode of color dot CD_3_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3via the electrodes of color dot CD_3_2.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 9( c)pixel design 920 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, andCD_3_2 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”. Switching element SE_2,color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, have negative polarity, as denoted by “−”.Associated dot AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 also have negative polarity. Becauseswitching element SE_2 has negative polarity, the electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. Howeverbecause switching elements SE_1 and SE_3 have positive polarity,associated dot AD_1 and AD_3 receives the positive polarity from adiagonally adjacent color dot. In FIG. 9( c), associated dots AD_1 isconfigured to receive negative polarity from a color dot that is belowand to the right of associated dot AD_1 via ITO connector 922.Associated dot AD_3 is configured to receive negative polarity fro acolor dot that is below and to the right of associated dot AD_3 vial ITOconnector 924.

FIG. 9( d) shows the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design 920(labeled as 920−) When pixel design 920 is in the negative dot polaritypattern, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_3_1, and CD_3_2 have negative polarity as denoted by “−1_; andswitching element SE_2, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, and colordots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 9( e) illustrates a portion of a display 900 using pixel designs910 and 920. Each row of display 900 is formed by alternating pixeldesign 910 and 920. Pixels in a row have alternating dot polarities.Thus in row R1, pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 920 and has negative dotpolarity; and pixel P(1,1) uses pixel design 910 and has a negative dotpolarity. Alternating rows use the same pixel designs in the same rowlocation but have opposite dot polarities. Thus, in row 2, pixel P(0,2)uses pixel design 920 and has positive dot polarity; and pixel P(1,2)uses pixel design 910 and has negative dot polarity. However, due to thenovel pixel designs and delayed driving scheme, display 900 uses aswitching element row inversion driving scheme because each theswitching elements on each row of switching elements have the samepolarity while alternating rows of switching elements have oppositepolarity.

For some applications, such as mobile phones, LCD displays do not needfour liquid crystal domains. FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) show the positiveand negative dot polarity pattern of a pixel design 1010, which can beused to create a display having two liquid crystal domains per colordot. A display using pixel design 1010 can use a switching element rowinversion driving scheme. In Pixel design 1010, associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3 are arranged sequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1is separated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS (notlabeled). Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated from associateddot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. The electrodes of associateddots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are connected electrically by an associateddot electrode ADE as illustrated in FIG. 10( c), which is drawn usingthe positive dot polarity pattern. For clarity associated dot electrodeADE is omitted from FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b).

In some embodiments of the present invention, instead of an associateddot electrode, each electrode within the associated dots is electricallycoupled to the electrodes of adjacent associate dots. For example, FIG.10( d) shows a pixel design 1020 (shown with the negative dot polarity)that includes ITO connection 1022 coupling the electrode of associateddot AD_1 to the electrode of associated dot AD_2 and ITO connection 1024coupling the electrode of associated dot AD_2 to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3. The associated dots in pixel design 1020 areconfigured to be coupled to additional associated dots in other pixelsas illustrated by ITO connector 1026.

The first color component of pixel design 1010 (FIG. 10( a)) has twocolor dots CD_1_1 and CD_1_2. Color dot CD_1_1 is horizontally alignedwith and offset vertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dotVDO. Color dot CD_1_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset verticallybelow associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes inboth color dots CD_1_1 and CD_1_2 are coupled to switching element SE_1.The second color component of pixel design 1010 has two color dotsCD_2_1 and CD_2_2. Color dot CD_2_1 is horizontally aligned with andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO.Color dot CD_2_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset verticallybelow associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes inboth color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2 are coupled to switching element SE_2.The third color component of pixel design 1010 has two color dots CD_3_1and CD_3_2. Color dot CD_3_1 is horizontally aligned with and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Colordot CD_3_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in bothcolor dots CD_3_1 and CD_3_2 are coupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1010, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned so thateach row of color dot or associated dot alternate in polarities. FIG.10( a) shows the positive dot polarity for pixel design 1010. Therefore,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. However associated dots AD_1, AD_2,and AD_3 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”. FIG. 10( b) showspixel design 1010 with the negative dot polarity pattern. For thenegative dot polarity pattern, switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3,and all of the color dots have negative polarity. Associated dots AD_1,AD_2 and AD_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”. Becauseassociated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 have a polarity that is theopposite of switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, the electrode ofassociated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are coupled to another switchingelement as explained below and shown in FIG. 10( e).

FIG. 10( e) shows a portion of a display 1050 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1010 to create rows of alternating polarity for the colordots and associated dots. Each row of display 1050 has pixels of pixeldesign 1010 arranged sequentially and having the same polarity. Within arow the associated dots of adjacent pixels are vertically aligned andhorizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled inFIG. 10( e)). For example in row 0, pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0) uses pixeldesign 1010 and have positive dot polarity. Conversely, in row 1, pixelsP(0,1) and P(1,1) have negative dot polarity. In the next frame, row 0would have negative dot polarity while row 1 would have positive dotpolarity. In general, even numbered rows have a first dot polaritypattern and odd number rows have a second dot polarity pattern. Thisarrangement of row polarity is often referred to as switching elementrow inversion driving scheme.

As explained above, the associated dots of each pixel have an oppositepolarity compared to the color dots and switching elements. Thus, theembodiment of FIG. 10( e) includes an associated dot electrode for eachrow of pixels to provide the polarity for each row of associated dots.Specifically, FIG. 10( e) shows associated dot electrode ADE_0, which isused for row 0 (i.e. pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0), and associated dotelectrode ADE_1, which is used for row 1 (i.e., pixels P(1,0) andP(1,1)). Each associated dot electrode ADE_X is coupled to an associateddot switching element ADSE_X. For example, associated dot electrodeADE_0 is coupled to associated dot switching element ADSE_0, which hasnegative polarity. Conversely, associated dot electrode ADE_1 is coupleto associated dot switching element ADSE_1, which has positive polarity.For better electrical distribution, most embodiments of the presentinvention place associated dot switching elements of one polarity on oneside of the display and the associated dot switching elements of thesecond polarity on the other side of the display. Thus for example inFIG. 10( e), associated dot switching element ADSE_0 is on the left sideof the display and associated dot switching element ADSE_1 is on theright side of the display (as illustrated using the ellipsis and greaterseparation of associated dot switching element ADSE_1 from the pixels inFIG. 10( e)). In some embodiments of the present invention, multipleassociated dot electrodes may be coupled to a single associated dotswitching element to reduce the number of switching elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 10( e), using the pixel designs described above,display 1050 has an alternating row pattern of dot polarities. Thus,each color dot will have two liquid crystal domains. In a particularembodiment of the present invention, each color dot has a width of 43micrometers and a height of 47 micrometers. Each associated dot has awidth of 43 micrometers and a height of 39 micrometers. The horizontaland vertical dot spacing is 4 micrometers.

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) show the positive and negative dot polaritypattern of a pixel design 1110, which is a three color dot variant ofpixel design 1010. In Pixel design 1110, each color component includesthree color dots. Furthermore two associated dots are used with eachcolor component. For clarity the associated dots associated with thefirst color components are labeled AD_1_1 and AD_1_2. Associated dotsAD_1_1, AD_2_1, and AD_3_1 are arranged sequentially on a row.Associated dots AD_1_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2_1 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS (not “labeled). Similarly, associated dotAD_2_1 is separated from associated dot AD_3_1 by horizontal dot spacingHDS. Associated dots AD_1_1, AD_2_1, and AD_3_1 are connectedelectrically by an associated dot electrode ADE as illustrated in FIG.11( e). For Clarity associated dot electrode ADE is omitted from FIGS.11( a) and 11(b). In some embodiments of the present invention, insteadof an associated dot electrode, each electrode within the associateddots is electrically coupled to the electrodes of adjacent associatedots (i.e. in the same manner as in FIG. 10( d)).

Associated dots AD_1_2, AD_2_2, and AD_3_2 are arranged sequentially ona row. Associated dots AD_1_1, AD_2_1, and AD_3_1 are horizontallyaligned with associated dots AD_1_2, AD_2_2, and AD_3_2, respectively.Associated dots AD_1_1, AD_2_1, and AD_3_1 are located vertically aboveassociated dots AD_1_2, AD_2_2, and AD_3_2, respectively, and separatedby the color dot height CDH and two time the vertical dot spacing VDS.Associated dots AD_1_2, AD_2_2, and AD_3_2 are connected electrically byan associated dot electrode ADE as illustrated in FIG. 10( e). Switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned within associated dotsAD_1_2, AD_2_2, and AD_3_2, respectively. The first color component ofpixel design 1110 has three color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3. Colordot CD_1_1 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically aboveassociated dot AD_1_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Color dot CD_1_2 ishorizontally aligned with and offset vertically below associated dotAD_1_1 by vertical dot offset VDO, and color dot CD_1_3 is horizontallyaligned with and offset vertically below associated dot AD_1_2 byvertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,and CD_1_3 are coupled to switching element SE_1. The second colorcomponent of pixel design 1110 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, andCD_2_3. Color dot CD_2_1 is horizontally aligned with and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_2_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Colordot CD_2_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_2_1 by vertical dot offset VDO, and color dot CD_2_3is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically below associated dotAD_2_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in color dots CD_2_1,CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 are coupled to switching element SE_2. The thirdcolor component of pixel design 1110 has three color dots CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3. Color dot CD_3_1 is horizontally aligned with andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_3_1 by vertical dot offsetVDO. Color dot CD_3_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset verticallybelow associated dot AD_3_1 by vertical dot offset VDO, and color dotCD_3_3 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_3_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes incolor dots CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 are coupled to switching elementSE_3.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1110, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned so thateach row of color dot or associated dot alternate in polarities. FIG.11( a) shows the positive dot polarity for pixel design 1110. Therefore,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. However associated dots AD_1_1,AD_1_2, AD_2_1, AD_2_2, AD_3_1, and AD_3_2, have negative polarity asdenoted by “−”. FIG. 11( b) shows pixel design 1110 with the negativedot polarity pattern. For the negative dot polarity pattern, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negativepolarity. Associated dots AD_1_1, AD_1_2, AD_2_1, AD_2_2, AD_3_1, andAD_3_2 have positive polarity. Because associated dots AD_1_1, AD_1_2,AD_2_1, AD_2_2, AD_3_1, and AD_3_2 have a polarity that is the oppositeof switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, the electrodes of associateddots AD_1_1, AD_1_2, AD_2_1, AD_2_2, AD_3_1, and AD_3_2 are coupled toanother switching element as explained below and shown in FIG. 11( c).

FIG. 11( c) shows a portion of a display 1150 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1110 to create rows of alternating polarity for the colordots and associated dots. Each row of display 1150 has pixels of pixeldesign 1110 arranged sequentially and having the same polarity. Due tospace limitations associated dots as labeled as ADXY instead of AD_X_Yas used in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b). Within a row the associated dots ofadjacent pixels are vertically aligned and horizontally separated by onehorizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled in FIG. 11( c)). For example inrow 0, pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0) uses pixel design 1110 and have positivedot polarity. Conversely, in row 1, pixels P(0,1) and P(1,1) havenegative dot polarity. In the next frame, row 0 would have negative dotpolarity while row 1 would have positive dot polarity. In general, evennumbered rows have a first dot polarity pattern and odd number rows havea second dot polarity pattern. This arrangement of row polarity is oftenreferred to as row inversion driving scheme.

As explained above, the associated dots of each pixel have an oppositepolarity compared to the color dots and switching elements. Thus, theembodiment of FIG. 11( c) includes an associated dot electrode for eachrow of associated dots to provide the polarity for the associated dots.Specifically, FIG. 11( c) shows associated dot electrodes ADE_0_1 andADE_0_2, which are used for row 0 (i.e. pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0), andassociated dot electrode ADE_1_1 and ADE_1_2, which are used for row 1(i.e., pixels P(1,0) and P(1,1)). Associated dot electrodes ADE_X_Y arecoupled to an associated dot switching element ADSE_X. For example,associated dot electrodes ADE_0_1 and ADE_0_2 are coupled to associateddot switching element ADSE_0, which has negative polarity. Conversely,associated dot electrodes ADE_1_1 and ADE_1_2 are couple to associateddot switching element ADSE_1, which has positive polarity. For betterelectrical distribution, some embodiments of the present invention placeassociated dot switching elements of one polarity on one side of thedisplay and the associated dot switching elements of the second polarityon the other side of the display. Thus for example in these embodimentsassociated dot switching element ADSE_0 is on the left side of thedisplay and associated dot switching element ADSE_1 would be on theright side of the display. As illustrated in FIG. 11( c), using thepixel designs described above, display 1150 has an alternating rowpattern of dot polarities. Thus, each color dot will have two liquidcrystal domains. In a particular embodiment of the present invention,each color dot has a width of 43 micrometers and a height of 47micrometers. Each associated dot has a width of 43 micrometers and aheight of 39 micrometers. The horizontal and vertical dot spacing is 4micrometers.

Pixel designs 1010 and 1110 allow for simpler color filters because thecolor dots of each color component are aligned horizontally. Furthermorein some application straight color components may provide advantagesover color component using zigzag patterns of color components. However,pixel designs 1010 and 1110 only have two liquid crystal domains ascompared to four liquid crystal domains of most of the other pixeldesigns presented herein. FIGS. 12( a) and 12(b) illustrate a pixeldesign 1210 that provides four liquid crystal domains while maintainingstraight color components. However, pixel design 1210 uses switchingelement point inversion, which is generally more difficult to implementthan switching element row inversion. FIGS. 12( a) and 12(b) show thepositive and negative dot polarity pattern of a pixel design 1210(labeled as 1210+ and 1210−, respectively). Pixel design 1210 can beused to create a display having four liquid crystal domains per colordot. In Pixel design 1210, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 arearranged sequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 is separated fromassociated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associateddot AD_2 is separated from associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacingHDS. Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned withinassociated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively.

The first color component of pixel design 1210 has two color dots CD_1_1and CD_1_2. Color dot CD_1_1 is horizontally aligned with and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. Colordot CD_1_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in bothcolor dots CD_1_1 and CD_1_2 are electrically coupled to switchingelement SE_1. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 12( a) the electrode ofcolor dot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 via the electrodeof associated dot AD_2 and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1. The secondcolor component of pixel design 1010 has two color dots CD_2_1 andCD_2_2. Color dot CD_2_1 is horizontally aligned with and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. Colordot CD_2_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in bothcolor dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2 are coupled to switching element SE_2. Inthe specific embodiment of FIG. 12( a), the electrode of color dotCD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2 via the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3 and the electrode of color dot CD_2_1. The thirdcolor component of pixel design 1210 has two color dots CD_3_1 andCD_3_2. Color dot CD_3_1 is horizontally aligned with and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Colordot CD_3_2 is horizontally aligned with and offset vertically belowassociated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrodes in bothcolor dots CD_3_1 and CD_3_2 are coupled to switching element SE_3. Inthe specific embodiment of FIG. 12( a) the electrode of color dot CD_3_2is coupled to switching element SE_3 via the electrode of an associateddot of an adjacent pixel and the electrode of color dot CD_1_1.Specifically, ITO connectors 1212 and 1214 from an adjacent pixel wouldconnect color dot CD_3_1 and CD_3_2. However, many embodiments maycouple the electrode of color dot CD_3_2 to switching element SE_3directly.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1210, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned to form acheckerboard pattern of polarities. FIG. 12( a) shows the positive dotpolarity for pixel design 1210. Therefore, switching elements SE_1 andSE_3, and color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2, and associateddot AD_2 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”. However, switchingelement SE_2, color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, and associated dots AD_1 andAD_3 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”. As explained above,associated dot AD_2 receives polarity from switching element SE_1;associated dot AD_3 receives polarity from switching element SE_2; andassociate dot AD_1 receives polarity from an adjacent pixel. Howeversome embodiments of the present invention may couple the electrode ofassociated dot AD_1 to switching element SE_2. FIG. 12( b) shows thenegative dot polarity for pixel design 1210. Therefore, switchingelements SE_1 and SE_3, and color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, andCD_3_2, and associated dot AD_2 have negative polarity as denoted by“−”. However, switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, andassociated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 12( c) shows a portion of a display 1250 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1210 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1250 has pixels ofpixel design 1210 arranged sequentially and has alternating polarity.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 12( c)). For example in row 0, pixel P(0,0) haspositive dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has negative dot polarity.Furthermore, pixels in a column also have alternating dot polarities sothat in adjacent rows, pixels in the same location on a row haveopposite polarities. For example, in row 1, pixel P(0,1) has negativedot polarity while pixel P(1,1) has positive dot polarity. In the nextframe, all pixels would switch dot polarities. In general, a pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity if X+Y is odd and has a second dot polarityif X+Y is even. A close examination of the switching elements in display1250 shows that the polarities of the switching elements are also in acheckerboard pattern. This arrangement of switching element is anexample of the switching element point inversion driving scheme.

FIG. 13( a) illustrates the positive dot polarity of pixel design 1310that is a variant of pixel design 1210 suited for displays usingswitching element column inversion driving scheme. Pixel design 1310adds three additional associated dots to pixel design 1210. For brevitythe description of the elements that are the same in pixel design 1210and 1310 is not repeated. (However, ITO connectors 1212 and 1214 arerelabeled as 1312 and 1314). Pixel design 1310 adds associated dotsAD_4, AD_5, and AD_6. Specifically, associated dot AD_4 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_1_2 and offset vertically below color dotCD_1_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. Associated dot AD_5 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_2_2 and offset vertically below color dotCD_2_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. Associated dot AD_6 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_3_2 and offset vertically below color dotCD_3_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. To achieve a checkerboard patternassociated dots AD_4 and AD_6 should have negative polarity whileassociated dot AD_5 has positive polarity for the positive dot polarityof pixel design 1310. Thus, the polarity of associated dots AD_4, AD_5,and AD_6 match the polarity of associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3,respectively. Most embodiments of the pixel design 1310 electricallycouple the electrodes of associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 to theelectrodes of associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively. Often,the coupling is via other dots. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13(a), the electrode of associated dot AD_5 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_2 via the electrode of color dot CD_1_2. Similarly,the electrode of associated dot AD_6 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3 via the electrode of color dot CD_2_2. Pixel design1310 is configured to couple associated dot AD_4 to associated dot AD_1via a color dot of an adjacent pixel. These connections are illustratedby ITO connectors 1314 and 1316. Thus, in the positive dot polaritypattern of pixel design 1310, switching element SE_1 and SE_3, colordots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2, and associated dots AD_2 andAD_5 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”; and switching elementSE_2, color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, associated dots AD_1, AD_4, AD_3 andAD_6 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”.

FIG. 13( b) illustrates the negative dot polarity of pixel design 1310(labeled 1310−). In the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design1310, switching element SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_3_1, and CD_3_1, and associated dots AD_2 and AD_5 have negativepolarity as denoted by “−”; and switching element SE_2, color dotsCD_2_1 and CD_2_2, associated dots AD_1, AD_4, AD_3 and AD_6 havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 13( c) shows a portion of a display 1320 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1310 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1320 has pixels ofpixel design 1310 arranged sequentially and having alternating polarity.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 13( c)). Each row begins with the same polarity,i.e. the pixels in each column of pixels have the same dot polarity, buteach column has a different dot polarity from its adjacent columns. Forexample, pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0) have positive dot polarity and PixelsP(0,1) and P(1,1) have negative dot polarity. Thus, in general a pixelP(X,Y) in such a display would have a first dot polarity if X is even,and a second dot polarity if X is odd. The switching elements of display1320 have a similar pattern, i.e., the switching elements in each columnhave the same polarity but switching elements in adjacent columns haveopposite polarity. Thus, display 1320 uses the switching element columninversion driving scheme.

FIG. 13( d) illustrates the positive dot polarity of pixel design 1330that is a variant of pixel design 1310 suited for displays usingswitching element point inversion driving scheme. In pixel design 1330,each color component has three color dots. Thus, pixel design 1330 addsthree additional color dots to pixel design 1310. For brevity thedescription of the elements that are the same in pixel design 1310 and1330 is not repeated. Pixel design 1320 adds color dots CD_1_3, CD_2_3,and CD_3_3. Specifically, color dot CD_1_3 is aligned horizontally withassociated dot AD_4 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_4 byvertical dot offset VDO. Color dot CD_2_3 is aligned horizontally withassociated dot AD_5 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_5 byvertical dot offset VDO. Color dot CD_3_3 is aligned horizontally withassociated dot AD_6 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_6 byvertical dot offset VDO. To achieve a checkerboard pattern color dotsCD_2_3 should have negative polarity while color dots CD_1_3 and CD_3_3should have positive polarity for the positive dot polarity of pixeldesign 1320. Thus, the polarity of color dots CD_1_3, CD_2_3, and CD_3_3match the polarity of color dots CD_1_2, CD_2_2, and CD_3_2,respectively. Most embodiments of the pixel design 1320 electricallycouple the electrodes of color dots CD_1_3, CD_2_3, and CD_3_3 to theelectrodes of color dots CD_1_2, CD_2_2, and CD_3_2, respectively.Often, the coupling is via other dots. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 13( d), the electrode of color dot CD_2_3 is coupled to theelectrode of color dot CD_2_2 via the electrode of associated dot AD_6.Similarly, the electrode of color dot CD_1_3 is coupled to the electrodeof color dot CD_1_2 via the electrode of associated dot AD_5. Pixeldesign 1320 is configured to couple color dot CD_3_3 to color dot CD_3_2via an associated dot of an adjacent pixel. These connections areillustrated by ITO connectors 1316 and 1338. Thus, in the positive dotpolarity pattern of pixel design 1330, switching element SE_1 and SE_3,color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3, andassociated dots AD_2 and AD_5 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”;and switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3,associated dots AD_1, AD_4, AD_3 and AD_6 have negative polarity asdenoted by “−”.

FIG. 13( e) illustrates the negative dot polarity of pixel design 1330(labeled 1330−). In the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design1330, switching element SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3, and associated dots AD_2 and AD_5have negative polarity as denoted by “−”; and switching element SE_2,color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3, associated dots AD_1, AD_4, AD_3and AD_6 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 13( f) shows a portion of a display 1340 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1330 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1350 has pixels ofpixel design 1330 arranged sequentially and having alternating polarity.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 13( f)). For example in row 0, pixels P(0,0) hasnegative dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has positive dot polarity.Furthermore, pixels in a column also have alternating dot polarities sothat in adjacent rows, pixels in the same location on a row haveopposite polarities. For example, in row 1, pixel P(0,1) has positivedot polarity while pixel P(1,1) has negative dot polarity. In the nextframe, all pixels would switch dot polarities. In general, a pixelP(X,Y) has a first dot polarity if X+Y is odd and has a second dotpolarity if X+Y is even. A close examination of the switching elementsin display 1340 shows that the polarities of the switching elements arealso in a checkerboard pattern. Thus, display 1350 uses the switchingelement point inversion driving scheme.

FIG. 13( g) illustrates the positive dot polarity of pixel design 1350that is a variant of pixel design 1330 suited for displays usingswitching element column inversion driving scheme. Pixel design 1350adds three additional associated dots to pixel design 1330. For brevitythe description of the elements that are the same in pixel design 1350and 1330 is not repeated. Pixel design 1350 adds associated dots AD_7,AD_8, and AD_9. Specifically, associated dot AD_7 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_1_3 and offset vertically below color dotCD_1_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Associated dot AD_8 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_2_3 and offset vertically below color dotCD_2_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Associated dot AD_9 is alignedhorizontally with color dot CD_3_3 and offset vertically below color dotCD_3_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. To achieve a checkerboard patternassociated dots AD_7 and AD_9 should have negative polarity whileassociated dot AD_8 has positive polarity for the positive dot polarityof pixel design 1350. Thus, the polarity of associated dots AD_7, AD_7,and AD_9 match the polarity of associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6,respectively. Most embodiments of the pixel design 1350 electricallycouple the electrodes of associated dots AD_7, AD_8, and AD_9 to theelectrodes of associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6, respectively. Often,the coupling is via other dots. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13(g), the electrode of associated dot AD_8 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_5 via the electrode of color dot CD_1_3. Similarly,the electrode of associated dot AD_9 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_6 via the electrode of color dot CD_2_3. Pixel design1350 is configured to couple associated dot AD_7 to associated dot AD_4via a color dot of an adjacent pixel. These connections are illustratedby ITO connectors 1338 and 1358. Thus, in the positive dot polaritypattern of pixel design 1350, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, colordots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3, and associateddots AD_2, AD_5, and AD_8 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”; andswitching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2 and CD_2_3, associateddots AD_1, AD_4, AD_7, AD_3, AD_6, and AD_7 have negative polarity asdenoted by “−”.

FIG. 13( h) illustrates the negative dot polarity of pixel design 1350(labeled 1350−). In the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design1350, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2,CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2 and CD_3_3, and associated dots AD_2, AD_5, andAD_8 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”; and switching elementSE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2 and CD_2_3, associated dots AD_1, AD_4,AD_7, AD_3, AD_6, and AD_9 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 13( i) shows a portion of a display 1360 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1350 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1360 has pixels ofpixel design 1350 arranged sequentially and having alternating polarity.Within each row associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 13( i)). Each row begins with the same polarity,i.e. the pixels in each column of pixels have the same dot polarity, buteach column has a different dot polarity from its adjacent columns. Forexample, pixels P(0,0) and P(1,0) have positive dot polarity and PixelsP(0,1) and P(1,1) have negative dot polarity. Thus, in general a pixelP(X,Y) in such a display would have a first dot polarity if X is even,and a second dot polarity if X is odd. The switching elements of display1360 have a similar pattern, i.e., the switching elements in each columnhave the same polarity but switching elements in adjacent columns haveopposite polarity. Thus, display 1360 uses the switching element columninversion driving scheme.

FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) show the positive and negative dot polaritypattern of a pixel design 1410 (labeled 1410+ and 1410−, respectively),which can be used to create a display having four liquid crystal domainsper color dot. In pixel design 1410, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, andAD_3 are arranged sequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 isseparated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated from associated dot AD_3 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 arepositioned within associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively.

The first color component of pixel design 1410 has two color dots CD_1_1and CD_1_2 in a right-left zigzag pattern. The first color component ispositioned so that color dot CD_1_2 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_1 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_1 byvertical dot offset VDO (labeled in FIG. 14( b)). The electrode of colordot CD_1_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1 and to the electrode ofcolor dot CD_1_1, thus electrically coupling the electrode of CD_1_1 toswitching element SE_1. The second color component of pixel design 1410has two color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2 in a right-left zigzag pattern. Thesecond color component is positioned so that color dot CD_2_2 ishorizontally aligned with associated dot AD_2 and offset verticallyabove associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode ofcolor dot CD_2_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2 and to theelectrode of color dot CD_2_1, thus electrically coupling the electrodeof CD_2_1 to switching element SE_2. The third color component of pixeldesign 1410 has two color dots CD_3_1 and CD_3_2 in a right-left zigzagpattern. The third color component is positioned so that color dotCD_3_2 is horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_3 and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3_2 is coupled to switching element SE_3 andto the electrode of color dot CD_3_1, thus electrically coupling theelectrode of CD_3_1 to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1410, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned to form acheckerboard pattern of polarities. FIG. 14( a) shows the positive dotpolarity for pixel design 1410. Therefore, switching elements SE_1 andSE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2, and associated dotAD_2 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”. However, switchingelement SE_2, color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, and associated dots AD_1 andAD_3 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”. Because, associated dotAD_1 and color dot CD_2_2 should have the same polarity, the electrodeof associated dot AD_1 is coupled the electrode of color dot CD_2_2.Similarly, because associated dot AD_2 and color dot CD_3_2 should havethe same polarity, therefore, the electrode of associated dot AD_2 iscoupled, electrode of color dot CD_3_2. Even though associated dot AD_3and color dot CD_2_2 have the same polarity, the electrode of associateddot AD_3 is configured to receive proper polarity from the adjacentpixel to avoid crossing connections with the connection betweenassociated dot AD_2 and color dot CD_3_2. This connection is illustratedby ITO connector 1412. FIG. 14( b) shows the negative dot polarity forpixel design 1410. Therefore, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, andcolor dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_3_1, and CD_3_2, and associated dot AD_2have negative polarity as denoted by However, switching element SE_2,color dots CD_2_1 and CD_2_2, and associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 14( c) shows a portion of a display 1450 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1410 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1450 has pixels ofpixel design 1410 arranged sequentially and having alternating polarity.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 14( c)). For example in row 0, pixel P(0,0) haspositive dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has negative dot polarity.Furthermore, pixels in a column also have alternating dot polarities sothat in adjacent rows, pixels in the same location on a row haveopposite polarities. For example, in row 1, pixel P(0,1) has negativedot polarity while pixel P(1,1) has positive dot polarity. In the nextframe, all pixels would switch dot polarities. In general, a pixelP(X,Y) has a first dot polarity if X+Y is odd and has a second dotpolarity if X+Y is even. A close examination of the switching elementsin display 1450 shows that the polarities of the switching elements arealso in a checkerboard pattern. This arrangement of switching element isan example of the switching element inversion driving scheme.

FIGS. 15( a) and 15(b) shows the positive and negative dot polaritypattern of a pixel design 1510 (labeled 1510+ and 1510−, respectively.Pixel design 1510 is a variant of pixel design 1410 having three colordots per color component. In Pixel design 1510, associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3 are arranged sequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1is separated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS (notlabeled). Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated from associateddot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switching elements SE_1, SE_2,and SE_3 are positioned within associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3,respectively.

The first color component of pixel design 1510 has three color dotsCD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3 in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. Thefirst color component is positioned so that color dot CD_1_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dot AD_1 and offset verticallyabove associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode ofcolor dot CD_1_3 is coupled to switching element SE_1 and to theelectrode of color dot CD_1_2, which is also coupled to the electrode ofcolor dot CD_1_1, thus electrically coupling the electrodes of color dotCD_1_1, CD_1_2 and CD_1_3 to switching element SE_1. The second colorcomponent of pixel design 1510 has three color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, andCD_2_3 in a left-right-left zigzag pattern. The second color componentis positioned so that color dot CD_2_3 is horizontally aligned withassociated dot AD_2 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_2 byvertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of color dot CD_2_3 is coupled toswitching element SE_2 and to the electrode of color dot CD_2_2, whichis also coupled to the electrode of color dot CD_2_1, thus electricallycoupling the electrodes of color dot CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3 toswitching element SE_2. The third color component of pixel design 1510has three color dots CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 in a left-right-leftzigzag pattern. The third color component is positioned so that colordot CD_3_3 is horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_3 and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3 andto the electrode of color dot CD_3_2, which is also coupled to theelectrode of color dot CD_1_1, thus electrically coupling the electrodesof color dot CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3 to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1510, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned to form acheckerboard pattern of polarities. FIG. 15( a) shows the positive dotpolarity for pixel design 1510. Therefore in FIG. 15( a), switchingelements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1,CD_3_2, and CD_3_3, and associated dot AD_2 have positive polarity asdenoted by “+”. However, switching element SE_2, color dots CD_2_1,CD_2_2, and CD_2_3, and associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negativepolarity as denoted by “−”. Because, associated dot AD_1 and color dotCD_2_3 should have the same polarity, the electrode of associated dotAD_1 is coupled the electrode of color dot CD_2_3. Similarly, becauseassociated dot AD_2 and color dot CD_3_3 should have the same polarity,therefore, the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled, electrode ofcolor dot CD_3_3. Even though associated dot AD_3 and color dot CD_2_3have the same polarity, the electrode of associated dot AD_3 isconfigured to receive proper polarity from the adjacent pixel to avoidcrossing connections with the connection between associated dot AD_2 andcolor dot CD_3_3. This connection is illustrated by ITO connection 1512.

FIG. 15( b) shows the negative dot polarity pattern of pixel design1510. Therefore in FIG. 15( b), switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, colordots CD_1_1, CD_1_2, CD_1_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3, and associateddot AD_2 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”. However, switchingelement SE_2, color dots CD_2_1, CD_2_2, and CD_2_3, and associated dotsAD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 15( c) shows a portion of a display 1500 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1510 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1500 has pixels ofpixel design 1510 arranged sequentially and having of alternating dotpolarities. Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels arevertically aligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dotspacing HDS (not labeled in FIG. 15( c)). For example in row 0, pixelP(0,0) has positive dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has negative dotpolarity.

All rows begin with the same polarity, i.e. the pixels in each column ofpixels have the same dot polarity, but each column has a different dotpolarity from its adjacent columns. For example pixels P(0,0) and P(0,1)both have positive dot polarities while pixels P(1,0) and P(1,1) bothhave negative dot polarities. In the next frame, all pixels would switchdot polarities. Thus, in general a pixel P(X,Y) in a display using pixeldesign 1500 would have a first dot polarity if Y is even, and a seconddot polarity if Y is odd. Similarly, the switching elements also displaya similar pattern (i.e. switching elements in each column have the samepolarity but switching elements in adjacent columns have different dotpolarities). This arrangement of switching elements is the switchingelement column inversion driving scheme.

The preceding pixels include multiple color dots per color components.However, some embodiments of the present invention use associated dotswith color components having a single color dot. For example, FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) show the positive and negative dot polarity pattern for apixel design 1610 (labeled 1610+ and 1610−, respectively) having asingle color dot per color component. Using a novel arrangement ofelectrically biased associated dots and color dots, pixel design 1610can be used to create displays having four liquid crystal domains usingswitching element column inversion driving scheme (as illustrated inFIG. 16( c)).

In pixel design 1610, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a row. Associated dots AD_1 is separated from associateddot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2is separated from associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned within associateddots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively.

The first color component of pixel design 1610 has one color dot CD_1.The first color component is positioned so that color dot CD_1 ishorizontally aligned with associated dot AD_1, and offset verticallyabove associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO (labeled in FIGS.16( a) and 16(b)). The electrode of color dot CD_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_1. The second color component of pixel design 1610has one color dot CD_2. The second color component is positioned so thatcolor dot CD_2 is horizontally aligned with associated dot AD_2, andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO.The electrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2.The third color component of pixel design 1610 has one color dot CD_3.The third color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dot AD_3, and offset verticallyabove associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. the electrode ofcolor dot CD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3

To achieve a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities, the polarity ofassociated dot AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are opposite from the polarities ofswitching element SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, respectively. Thus, in theparticular embodiment of pixel design 1610, the electrode of associatedot AD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_1. The electrode ofassociate dot AD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The electrodeof associate dot AD_1 is coupled to switching element SE_3 of the pixelto the left of the current pixel. Specifically as illustrated in FIG.16( a) an ITO connector 1612, would connect associated dot AD_1 withSE_3 of the adjacent pixel on the left. Other embodiments of the presentinvention may couple the electrode of the associated dots to color dotsthat are diagonally adjacent. For example, the electrode of associatedot AD_1 could be coupled to the electrode of color dot CD_2 to receivethe appropriate polarity.

As explained above, the fringe fields in the color dots are amplified ifadjacent dots have opposite polarities. For pixel design 1610, thepolarities of the color dots and associated dots are assigned to form acheckerboard pattern of polarities. FIG. 16( a) shows the positive dotpolarity for pixel design 1610. Therefore, switching elements SE_1 andSE_3, color dots CD_1 and CD_3, and associated dot AD_2, have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”. However, switching element SE_2, color dotCD_2, and associated dots AD_1 and AD_3, have negative polarity asdenoted by “−”.

FIG. 16( b) shows the negative dot polarity for pixel design 1610. Inthe negative dot polarity of pixel design 1610, switching elements SE_1and SE_3, and color dots CD_1 and CD_3, and associated dot AD_2, havenegative polarity as denoted by “−”. However, switching element SE_2,color dot CD_2, and associated dots AD_1 and AD_3, have positivepolarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 16( c) shows a portion of a display 1600 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1610 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1600 has pixels ofpixel design 1610 arranged sequentially and having alternating dotpolarity patterns. Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixelsare vertically aligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dotspacing HDS (not labeled in FIG. 16( c)). For example in row 0, pixelP(0,0) has positive dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has negative dotpolarity. Furthermore, pixels in a column have the same dot polaritypatterns so that in adjacent rows, pixels in the same location on a rowhave the same dot polarity patterns. For example, in row 0, pixel P(1,0)has negative dot polarity and in row 1 pixel P(1,1) has negative dotpolarity. In the next frame, all pixels would switch dot polarities. Ingeneral, a pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity if X is odd and has asecond dot polarity if X is even. A close examination of the switchingelements in display 1600 shows that the polarities of the switchingelements are the same within each column but alternate from column tocolumn. This arrangement of switching element is an example of theswitching element column inversion driving scheme.

FIGS. 17( a) and 17(b) show the positive and negative dot polaritypattern for a pixel design 1710 (labeled 1710+ and 1710−, respectively),which uses multiple adjacent associated dots with each color component.For clarity, the color components in FIGS. 17( a) and 17(b) use onecolor dot per color component. However one skilled in the art canreadily adapt the multiple adjacent associated dots for pixel designsusing multiple color dots per color components.

In pixel design 1710, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a first associated dot row. Associated dot AD_1 isseparated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated from associated dot AD_3 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 arearranged sequentially on a second associated dot row, below associateddots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3. Associated dot AD_4 is separated fromassociated dot AD_5 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associateddot AD_5 is separated from associated dot AD_6 by horizontal dot spacingHDS. Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned withinassociated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6, respectively. Associated dotsAD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 are horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3, respectively. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 arevertically offset above associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3,respectively, by vertical dot offset VDO_2.

The first color component of pixel design 1710 has one color dot CD_1.The first color component is positioned so that color dot CD_1 ishorizontally aligned with associated dots AD_1 and AD_4, and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dot offset VDO_1. Theelectrode of color dot CD_1 is coupled to switching element SE_1. Thesecond color component of pixel design 1710 has one color dot CD_2. Thesecond color component is positioned so that color dot CD_2 ishorizontally aligned with associated dots AD_2 and AD_5, and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO_1. Theelectrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. Thethird color component of pixel design 1710 has one color dot CD_3. Thethird color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dots AD_3 and AD_6, and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO_1. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above the polarities of the color dots and the associateddots should form a checkerboard pattern. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 17(a) in the positive dot polarity pattern of pixel design 1710, switchingelements SE_1 and SE_3, color dots CD_1 and CD_3, and associated dotsAD_1, AD_2, and AD_6 have positive dot polarity as denoted by “+”.However, switching element SE_2, color dot CD_2, and associated dotsAD_1, AD_5 and AD_6 have negative polarity as denoted by “−”. To achievethis dot polarity pattern, the electrode of associate dot AD_4 iscoupled to switching element SE_1 and the electrode of associate dotAD_2. The electrode of associate dot AD_5 is coupled to switchingelement SE_2 and the electrode of associate dot AD_3. The electrode ofassociate dot AD_6 is coupled to switching element SE_3. To achieve amore uniform electrical distribution and to avoid crossover ITOconnections, associated dot AD_1 receives its polarity from aneighboring pixel using ITO connector 1712. While FIG. 17( a) shows aspecific ITO connection pattern, those skilled in the art can use theprinciples of the presented invention to design other connectionpatterns. For example, the electrodes of associated dot AD_2 and AD_3could be coupled to the electrodes of color dots CD_1 and CD_3,respectively, and the electrode of associated dot AD_1 could be coupledto the electrode of associated dot AD_5.

FIG. 17( b) shows the negative dot polarity for pixel design 1710.Therefore, switching elements SE_1 and SE_3, and color dots CD_1 andCD_3, and associated dots AD_2, AD_4 and AD_6, have negative polarity asdenoted by “−”. However, switching element SE_2, color dot CD_2, andassociated dots AD_1, AD_3, and AD_5, have positive polarity as denotedby “+”.

FIG. 17( c) shows a portion of a display 1700 formed from pixels usingpixel design 1710 to create a checkerboard pattern of polarities for thecolor dots and associated dots. Each row of display 1700 has pixels ofpixel design 1710 arranged sequentially and having alternating polarity.Within a row the associated dots of adjacent pixels are verticallyaligned and horizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS(not labeled in FIG. 17( c)). For example in row 0, pixel P(0,0) haspositive dot polarity while pixel P(1,0) has negative dot polarity.Furthermore, pixels in a column also have alternating dot polarities sothat in adjacent rows, pixels in the same location on a row haveopposite polarities. For example, in row 1, pixel P(0,1) has negativedot polarity while pixel P(1,1) has positive dot polarity. In the nextframe, all pixels would switch dot polarities. In general, a pixelP(X,Y) has a first dot polarity if X+Y is odd and has a second dotpolarity if X+Y is even. A close examination of the switching elementsin display 1700 shows that the polarities of the switching elements arealso in a checkerboard pattern. This arrangement of switching element isan example of the switching element point inversion driving scheme.

FIGS. 18( a)-18(d) show two additional spread pixel designs (1810 and1820), each having one color dot per color component. Both pixel designshave three color components and each color component has one color dot.In addition, spread pixel designs 1810 and 1820 include two associateddots (AD_1, AD_2, AD_3, AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6) for each color component.A switching element (SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3), for each color component, islocated within the associated dot.

For pixel design 1810, associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 are arrangedsequentially on a first row associated dot row. Associated dot AD_1 isseparated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontal dot spacing HDS.Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated from associated dot AD_3 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 arearranged sequentially on a second associated dot row. Associated dotAD_4 is separated from associated dot AD_5 by horizontal dot spacingHDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_5 is separated from associated dotAD_6 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switching elements SE_1, SE_2, andSE_3 are positioned within associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6,respectively. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 are horizontallyaligned with associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively.Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 are vertically offset below AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3, respectively, by vertical dot offset VDO_2.

Specifically, FIGS. 18( a) and (b) show the positive and negative dotpolarity pattern for one color dot of a pixel design 1810 (labeled 1810+and 1810−, respectively). The first color component of pixel design 1810has one color dot CD_1. The first color component is positioned so thatcolor dot CD_1 is horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_1 andAD_4, and offset vertically above associated dot AD_1 by vertical dotoffset VDO_1. The electrode of color dot CD_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1. The second color component of pixel design 1810 has onecolor dot CD_2. The second color component is positioned so that colordot CD_2 is horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_2 and AD_5, andoffset vertically below associated dot AD_5 by vertical dot offsetVDO_2. The electrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_2. The third color component of pixel design 1810 has one color dotCD_3. The third color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dots AD_3 and AD_6, and offsetvertically above associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO_1. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above the polarities of the color dots and the associateddots should form a checkerboard pattern. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 18(a) in the positive dot polarity pattern of pixel design 1810, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, color dots CD_1, CD_2, and CD_3, andassociated dots AD_2, AD_4, and AD_6 have positive dot polarity asdenoted by “+”. However, associated dots AD_1, AD_3 and AD_5 havenegative polarity as denoted by “−”. Because all the switching elementsin pixel design 1810 have the same polarity, the associated dots havingdifferent polarity than the switching elements (i.e., associated dotsAD_1, AD_3, and AD_5 must receive polarity from outside the pixel. Thus,FIGS. 18( a) and 18(b) shows ITO connectors (1812, 1813, 1814, 1816)which are coupled various parts of adjacent pixels. These ITO connectorsare shown again in FIGS. 18( c) and 18(d) for clarity. Specifically, theelectrode of associated dot AD_1 is coupled to color dot CD_2 of thepixel above the current pixel using ITO connector 1812 to receive properpolarity. (See FIG. 18( e)). An ITO connector 1812′ is shown coupled tocolor dot CD_2, which would be equivalent to ITO connector 1812 of apixel below the current pixel. The electrode of associated dot AD_2 iscoupled to the electrode of associated dot AD_4, which is coupled toswitching element SE_1. The electrode of associated dot AD_3 is coupledto the electrode of associated dot AD_5. In addition, the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3 is coupled to receive polarity from color dot CD_1of a pixel to the right of and above the current pixel via ITO connector1813. The pixel to the right of and above the current pixel uses pixeldesign 1820 described below (see also FIG. 18( e)). Finally, theelectrode of associated dot AD_6 is coupled to switching element SE_3.In addition the electrode of associated dot AD_6 provides polarity toassociated dot AD_1 of the pixel to the right of the current pixel.

As illustrated in FIG. 18( b) in the negative dot polarity pattern ofpixel design 1810, switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, color dotsCD_1, CD_2, and CD_3, and associated dots AD_2, AD_4, and AD_6 havenegative dot polarity as denoted by “−”. However, associated dots AD_1,AD_3 and AD_5 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

For pixel design 1820 (FIGS. 18( c) and 18(d)), associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3 are arranged sequentially on a first row associated dotrow. Associated dot AD_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separatedfrom associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Associated dotsAD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 are arranged sequentially on a second associateddot row. Associated dot AD_4 is separated from associated dot AD_5 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_5 is separatedfrom associated dot AD_6 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are positioned within associated dotsAD_4, AD_5, and AD_6, respectively. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6are horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3,respectively. Associated dots AD_4, AD_5, and AD_6 are vertically offsetbelow AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3, respectively, by vertical dot offset VDO_2.

Specifically, FIGS. 18( c) and (d) show the positive and negative dotpolarity pattern for one color dot of a pixel design 1820 (labeled 1820+and 1820−, respectively). The first color component of pixel design 1820has one color dot CD_1. The first color component is positioned so thatcolor dot CD_1 is horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_1 andAD_4, and offset vertically below associated dot AD_4 by vertical dotoffset VDO_2. The electrode of color dot CD_1 is coupled to switchingelement SE_1. The second color component of pixel design 1820 has onecolor dot CD_2. The second color component is positioned so that colordot CD_2 is horizontally aligned with associated dots AD_2 and AD_5, andoffset vertically above associated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offsetVDO_1. The electrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled to switching elementSE_2. The third color component of pixel design 1820 has one color dotCD_3. The third color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dots AD_3 and AD_6, and offsetvertically below associated dot AD_6 by vertical dot offset VDO_2. Theelectrode of color dot CD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above the polarities of the color dots and the associateddots should form a checkerboard pattern. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 18(c), in the positive dot polarity pattern of pixel design 1820, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, color dots CD_1, CD_2, and CD_3, andassociated dots AD_1, AD_3, and AD_5 have positive dot polarity asdenoted by “+”. However, associated dots AD_2, AD_4 and AD_6 havenegative polarity as denoted by “−”. Because all the switching elementsin pixel design 1820 have the same polarity, the associated dots havingdifferent polarity than the switching elements (i.e., associated dotsAD_2, AD_4, and AD_6 must receive polarity from outside the pixel. Thus,FIGS. 18( c) and 18(d) shows ITO connectors (1822, 1813, 1814, 1816)which are coupled various parts of adjacent pixels. These ITO connectorswere also shown previously in FIGS. 18( c) and 18(d) for clarity.Specifically, the electrode of associated dot AD_1 is coupled toswitching element SE_1. In addition the electrode of associated dot AD_1is coupled to associated dot AD_6 of the pixel to the left of thecurrent pixel via ITO connector 1816. The electrode of associated dotAD_2 is coupled to the electrode of associated dot AD_4. In addition theelectrode of associated dot CD_2 is coupled to the electrode of colordot CD_3 of the pixel above the current pixel using ITO connector 1822to receive proper polarity. (See FIG. 18( e)). An ITO connector 1822′ isshown coupled to color dot CD_3, which would be equivalent to ITOconnector 1822 of a pixel below the current pixel. The electrode ofassociated dot AD_3 is coupled to the electrode of associated dot AD_5,which is coupled to switching element SE_2. Finally, the electrode ofassociated dot AD_6 is coupled to associated dot AD_1 of the pixel tothe right of the current pixel via ITO connector 1814. In addition, ITOconnector 1813 is shown connected to color dot CD_1. As explained above,ITO connector connects color dot CD_1 of a pixel using pixel design 1820associated dot AD_3 of a pixel (using pixel design 1810) to the left andbelow the current pixel.

As illustrated in FIG. 18( d) in the negative dot polarity pattern ofpixel design 1810, switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, color dotsCD_1, CD_2, and CD_3, and associated dots AD_1, AD_3, and AD_5 havenegative dot polarity as denoted by “−”. However, associated dots AD_2,AD_4 and AD_6 have positive polarity as denoted by “+”.

FIG. 18( e) shows a portion of a display 1800 that combines pixels usingpixel designs 1810 and 1820 to create a checkerboard pattern of colordot polarities. Each row of display 1800 has alternating pixels of pixeldesign 1810 and pixel design 1820. For example in row 0, pixels P(0,0)use pixel design 1810 and pixel P(1,0) uses pixel design 1820. PixelP(2,0) (not shown) would use pixel design 1810. Similarly, in row 1,pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 1810 and pixel P(1,1) uses pixel design1820, and pixel P(2,1) (not shown) uses pixel design 1810. Within a rowthe associated dots of adjacent pixels are vertically aligned andhorizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled inFIG. 18( e)). The rows in display 1800 are horizontally aligned andvertically interleaved so that some color dots from row 0 are verticallyaligned with some of the color dots of row 1. Specifically, color dotCD_1 of pixel P(0,0) is vertically aligned with color dot CD_2 of pixelP(0,1).

All the pixels on a row have the same polarity. However, alternatingrows have different polarities. Thus for example, row 0 is shown withpositive dot polarity while row 1 is show with negative dot polarity. Inthe next frame row 0 would have negative dot polarity while row 1 wouldhave positive dot polarity. In general, even numbered rows have a firstdot polarity pattern and odd number rows have a second dot polaritypattern. In general a pixel P(X,Y) in display 1800 uses pixel design1810 where X is even and uses pixel design 1820 where X is odd.Furthermore, pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity pattern when Y iseven and a second dot polarity pattern when Y is odd.

As illustrated in FIG. 18( e), using the pixel designs described above,display 1800 has a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities. Thus, eachcolor dot will have four liquid crystal domains. Because each row ofswitching elements have the same polarity, while alternating rows ofswitching elements of opposite polarity, display 1800 can achieve fourliquid crystal domains while only requiring a switching element rowinversion driving scheme.

FIGS. 19( a)-19(h) show four additional spread pixel designs (1910,1920, 1930 and 1940), each having one color dot per color component.Pixel designs 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 have three color components.FIG. 19( i) shows a portion of a display 1900 that combines pixels usingpixel designs 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 to create a checkerboard patternof color dot polarities. Because each row of switching elements have thesame polarity, while alternating rows of switching elements of oppositepolarity, display 1900 can achieve four liquid crystal domains whileonly requiring a switching element row inversion driving scheme.

Specifically, FIG. 19( a) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of aspread pixel design 1910 (labeled as 1910+). As explained above, a pixelwill switch between a first dot polarity pattern and a second dotpolarity pattern between each image frame. Pixel design 1910 has threeassociated AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 arranged sequentially on an associateddot row. Associated dot AD_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separatedfrom associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are located within associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3, respectively. In pixel design 1910, the first colorcomponent of spread pixel design 1910 has one color dot CD_1. The firstcolor component is positioned so that color dot CD_1 is horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_2 and offset vertically above associateddot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_1 iscoupled to the electrode of associated dot AD_1, which is coupled toswitching element SE_1. Alternatively, the electrode of color dot CD_1could be coupled directly to switching element SE_1. The second colorcomponent of spread pixel design 1910 has one color dots CD_2. Thesecond color component is positioned so that color dot CD_2 horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_2 and is offset vertically aboveassociated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of colordot CD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The third color componentof spread pixel design 1910 has one color dots CD_3. The third colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_3 is horizontally offset tothe right of associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot offset HDO andvertically offset below associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO.The electrode of color dot CD_3 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3, which is coupled to switching element SE_3. Inother embodiments of the present invention the electrode of color dotCD_3 is coupled directly to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 19( a)pixel design 1910 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have positive polarity.Thus, the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 can be coupled toswitching elements SE_1 and SE_3, respectively. However, associated dotAD_2 has negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. In a checkerboard patternof polarities, the color dots that are diagonally adjacent to associateddot AD_2 should have the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodimentsof the present invention the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupledto the electrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot fromanother pixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 1910, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to the electrode of thecolor dot that is to the right and above associated dot AD_2 as shown byITO connector 1912. As illustrated in FIG. 19( b), when pixel design1910 (labeled 1910−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negativepolarity. Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have negative polarity.However, associated dot AD_2 has positive polarity.

FIG. 19( c) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 1920 (labeled as 1920+). As explained above, a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. Pixel design 1920 has three associated AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3 arranged sequentially on an associated dot row.Associated dot AD_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontaldot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated fromassociated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switching elementsSE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are located within associated dots AD_1, AD_2, andAD_3, respectively. In pixel design 1920, the first color component ofspread pixel design 1920 has one color dot CD_1. The first colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_1 is horizontally alignedwith associated dot AD_1 and offset vertically below associated dot AD_1by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_1 is coupledto switching element SE_1. The second color component of spread pixeldesign 1920 has one color dots CD_2. The second color component ispositioned so that color dot CD_2 horizontally aligned with associateddot AD_3 and is offset vertically above associated dot AD_3 by verticaldot offset VDO. The electrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled the electrodeof associated dot AD_2, which is coupled to switching element SE_2. Thethird color component of spread pixel design 1920 has one color dotsCD_3. The third color component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 ishorizontally aligned with associated dot AD_3 and vertically offsetbelow associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode ofcolor dot CD_3 is coupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 19( c)pixel design 1920 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dot AD_2 also has positive polarity. Thus, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 can be coupled to switching elementSE_2. However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negative polarity, asdenoted by “−”. In a checkerboard pattern of polarities, the color dotsthat are diagonally adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 shouldhave the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled tothe electrodes of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot fromanother pixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 1920, theelectrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled to the electrodeof the color dots that are to the right and below associated dot AD_1and AD_3, respectively. These connections are illustrated by ITOconnector 1921 and 1922. As illustrated in FIG. 19( d), when pixeldesign 1920 (labeled 1920−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havenegative polarity. Associated dot AD_2 also has negative polarity.However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity.

FIG. 19( e) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of a spread pixeldesign 1930 (labeled as 1930+). As explained above, a pixel will switchbetween a first dot polarity pattern and a second dot polarity patternbetween each image frame. Pixel design 1930 has three associated dotsAD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 arranged sequentially on an associated dot row.Associated dot AD_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2 by horizontaldot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separated fromassociated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switching elementsSE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are located within associated dots AD_1, AD_2, andAD_3, respectively. In pixel design 1930, the first color component ofspread pixel design 1930 has one color dot CD_1. The first colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_1 is horizontally alignedwith associated dot AD_1 and offset vertically above associated dot AD_1by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_1 is coupledto switching element SE_1. The second color component of spread pixeldesign 1930 has one color dots CD_2. The second color component ispositioned so that color dot CD_2 horizontally aligned with associateddot AD_3 and is offset vertically below associated dot AD_3 by verticaldot offset VDO. The electrode of color dot CD_2 is coupled the electrodeof associated dot AD_2, which is coupled to switching element SE_2. Insome embodiments of the present invention, the electrode of color dotCD_2 is coupled directly to switching element SE_2. The third colorcomponent of spread pixel design 1930 has one color dot CD_3. The thirdcolor component is positioned so that color dot CD_3 is horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_3 and vertically offset above associateddot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of color dot CD_3 iscoupled to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 19( e)pixel design 1930 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dot AD_2 also has positive polarity. Thus, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 can be coupled to switching elementSE_2. However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have negative polarity, asdenoted by “−”. In a checkerboard pattern of polarities, the color dotsthat are diagonally adjacent to associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 shouldhave the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled tothe electrodes of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot fromanother pixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 1930, theelectrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 are coupled to the electrodeof the color dots that are to the right and above associated dot AD_1and AD_3, respectively. These connections are illustrated by ITOconnector 1931 and 1932. As illustrated in FIG. 19( f), when pixeldesign 1930 (labeled 1930−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havenegative polarity. Associated dot AD_2 also has negative polarity.However, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 have positive polarity.

Specifically, FIG. 19( a) shows the positive dot polarity pattern of aspread pixel design 1910 (labeled as 1910+). As explained above, a pixelwill switch between a first dot polarity pattern and a second dotpolarity pattern between each image frame. Pixel design 1910 has threeassociated AD_1, AD_2, and AD_3 arranged sequentially on an associateddot row. Associated dot AD_1 is separated from associated dot AD_2 byhorizontal dot spacing HDS. Similarly, associated dot AD_2 is separatedfrom associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot spacing HDS. Switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3 are located within associated dots AD_1,AD_2, and AD_3, respectively. In pixel design 1910, the first colorcomponent of spread pixel design 1910 has one color dot CD_1. The firstcolor component is positioned so that color dot CD_1 is horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_2 and offset vertically above associateddot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode in color dot CD_1 iscoupled to the electrode of associated dot AD_1, which is coupled toswitching element SE_1. Alternatively, the electrode of color dot CD_1could be coupled directly to switching element SE_1. The second colorcomponent of spread pixel design 1910 has one color dots CD_2. Thesecond color component is positioned so that color dot CD_2 horizontallyaligned with associated dot AD_2 and is offset vertically aboveassociated dot AD_2 by vertical dot offset VDO. The electrode of colordot CD_2 is coupled to switching element SE_2. The third color componentof spread pixel design 1910 has one color dots CD_3. The third colorcomponent is positioned so that color dot CD_3 is horizontally offset tothe right of associated dot AD_3 by horizontal dot offset HDO andvertically offset below associated dot AD_3 by vertical dot offset VDO.The electrode of color dot CD_3 is coupled to the electrode ofassociated dot AD_3, which is coupled to switching element SE_3. Inother embodiments of the present invention the electrode of color dotCD_3 is coupled directly to switching element SE_3.

As explained above, a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities isdesirable to amplify the fringe fields in each color dot. In FIG. 19( a)pixel design 1910 is in the positive dot polarity pattern. Accordingly,switching elements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots havepositive polarity as denoted by “+”. To achieve the checkerboardpattern, associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have positive polarity.Thus, the electrodes of associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 can be coupled toswitching elements SE_1 and SE_3, respectively. However, associated dotAD_2 has negative polarity, as denoted by “−”. In a checkerboard patternof polarities, the color dots that are diagonally adjacent to associateddot AD_2 should have the appropriate polarity. Thus, in some embodimentsof the present invention the electrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupledto the electrode of at least one diagonally adjacent color dot fromanother pixel. In the particular embodiment of pixel design 1910, theelectrode of associated dot AD_2 is coupled to the electrode of thecolor dot that is to the right and above associated dot AD_2 as shown byITO connector 1912. As illustrated in FIG. 19( b), when pixel design1910 (labeled 1910−) is in the negative dot polarity pattern, switchingelements SE_1, SE_2, and SE_3, and all of the color dots have negativepolarity. Associated dots AD_1 and AD_3 also have negative polarity.However, associated dot AD_2 has positive polarity.

FIG. 19( i) shows a portion of a display 1900 that combines pixels usingpixel designs 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 to create a checkerboard patternof color dot polarities. For clarity, the gate lines and source linesthat power the switching elements are omitted in FIG. 19( i). Gate linesand source lines are illustrated and described in details in otherfigures. Furthermore, the background area of each pixel is shaded tomore clearly show the components of each pixel. This shading is forillustrative purposes only. Each odd-numbered row of display 1900 hasalternating pixels of pixel design 1940 and pixel design 1920. Forexample in row 1, pixel P(0,1) uses pixel design 1940 and pixel P(1,1)uses pixel design 1920. Pixel P(2,1) (not shown) would use pixel design1940. Each even-numbered row of display 1900 has alternating pixels ofpixels of pixel design 1930 and 1910. For example in row 0, pixel P(0,0)uses pixel design 1930 and pixel P(1,0) uses pixel design 1910, andpixel P(2,0) (not shown) uses pixel design 1930. Within a row theassociated dots of adjacent pixels are vertically aligned andhorizontally separated by one horizontal dot spacing HDS (not labeled inFIG. 19( i)). The rows in display 1900 are horizontally aligned andvertically interleaved so that some color dots from row 0 are verticallyaligned with some of the color dots of row 1. Specifically, color dotCD_1 of pixel P(0,0) is vertically aligned with color dot CD_2 of pixelP(0,1).

All the pixels on a row have the same polarity. However, alternatingrows have different polarities. Thus for example, row 0 is shown withpositive dot polarity while row 1 is show with negative dot polarity. Inthe next frame row 0 would have negative dot polarity while row 1 wouldhave positive dot polarity. In general, even numbered rows have a firstdot polarity pattern and odd number rows have a second dot polaritypattern. Furthermore, all the switching elements on a row have the samepolarity. This arrangement of row polarity is an example of switchingelement row inversion driving scheme. In general a pixel P(X,Y) indisplay 1900 uses pixel design 1940 where X is odd and Y is even; pixeldesign 1930 when X is even and Y is even; pixel design 1920 when X isodd and Y is odd; and pixel design 1910 where X is even and Y is odd.Furthermore, pixel P(X,Y) has a first dot polarity pattern when Y iseven and a second dot polarity pattern when Y is odd.

As illustrated in FIG. 19( i), using the pixel designs described above,display 1900 has a checkerboard pattern of dot polarities. Thus, eachcolor dot will have four liquid crystal domains. Because each row ofswitching elements have the same polarity, while alternating rows ofswitching elements of opposite polarity, display 1900 achieves fourliquid crystal domains while only requiring a switching element rowinversion driving scheme.

Various embodiments of the present invention were fabricated in the formof a 7 inch color wide VGA (WVGA) resolution display using a switchingelement point inversion driving scheme. WVGA has a resolution is 800pixels in the horizontal direction and 480 pixels in the verticaldirection. Thus, the color pixel size is 190.5 um in width by 190.5 umin height. Each pixel includes three color components (red, green andblue colors) using color filter materials. Thus the resolution is 2400(800×3) color components in the horizontal direction and 480 colorcomponents in the vertical direction, each color component has atheoretical maximum size of 63.5 um in width by 190.5 um in height.However, some of this area is required for the drive component areaand/or associated dots. The display includes 2400 switching elements perrow and 480 rows. The drive component area for the switching element (athin film transistor) and the storage capacitor, has a theoreticalmaximum size of about 63.5 um in width by 38.0 um in height. However dueto horizontal and vertical dot spacings, the device component area hasan actual size of about 55.5 um in width by 35.0 um.

In the display panel fabrication process, Merck vertical alignmentliquid crystal (LC) is used with a negative dielectric anisotropy, suchas MLC-6884. The Japan Nissan Chemical Industrial Limited (Nissan)polyimide SE-5300 with a non-rubbing process is used to fabricate thestandard vertical LC alignment without the pretilt angle. Other verticalalignment polyimides (PIs) can also be used to obtain the vertical LCalignment, such as Nissan LC vertical alignment PI SE-1211, SE-7511L,RN-1566, and RN-1681, and Japan Synthetic Rubber Corporation (JSR) LCvertical alignment PI AL1H659, AL60101, JALS688-R11, JALS-2096-R14.Other vertical alignment LCs from Merck can also be used as the LCmaterial, such as LC MLC-6008, MLC-6609, MLC-6610, MLC-6882, MLC-6883,MLC-6885, and MLC-6886. The fabrication process is a non-rubbing processand does not require high precision top to bottom substrates alignment,which is required in the fabrication process for other MVA LCDs usingthe protrusion or ITO slit geometry. The width of the ITO connectionlines between different color dots and different device component areasis 3 um. Top and bottom polarizers are attached to the panels. Thetypical LC cell gap is about 2.0 to 3.5 um.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the display wascreated using the pixel designs and dot polarity patterns and the pixelarrangement of FIGS. 13( d)-(f), where each color component is dividedinto 3 color dots with 2 associated dots. For first color component, weused the device component area, which consists of the switching elementSE_1 and the storage capacitor, as the associated dot AD_1 by adding anelectrode that can be electrically biased. Thus AD_1 has a theoreticalmaximum size of about 63.5 um in width by 38.0 um in height. However dueto horizontal and vertical dot spacings, the device component area(associated dot) has an actual size of about 55.5 um in width by 35.0 umin height. Associated dot AD_4 is an ITO dot with theoretical maximumsize of about 63.5 um in width by 8.0 um in height. However due tohorizontal and vertical dot spacings, the device component area has anactual size of about 55.5 um in width by 5.0 um in height. Thus eachcolor dot has a theoretical maximum size of about 63.5 um in width by48.2 um in height. However due to horizontal and vertical dot spacings,each color dot has an actual size of about 55.5 um in width by 45.2 umin height. Thus in the actual size, each color dot (CD_1_1, CD_1_2, andCD_1_3) for first color component is about 55.5 um in width by 45.2 umin height, the associated dot AD_1 is 55.5 um in width by 35 um inheight and the associated dot AD_4 is 55.5 um in width by 5 um inheight. Similarly, for the second and third color components, we have,in actual size, each color dot (CD_2_1, CD_2_2, CD_2_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2,and CD_3_3) is about 55.5 um in width by 44.2 um in height, theassociated dots AD_2 and AD_3 are 55.5 um in width by 35 um in height,and the associated dots AD_5 and AD_6 are 55.5 um in width by 5 um inheight. The associated dots could be covered by the black matrixmaterial to make them optically opaque dots.

An actual display using the principle of the present invention, produceda contrast ratio greater than 700 at an applied voltage of 5 volt.Furthermore, the display exhibited a very wide viewing angle (viewingangle cone with a contrast ratio larger than 5). The viewing anglesdepend on the polarizers that are attached to the panels. Four types ofpolarizers: the regular linear polarizers (without the MVA wide viewingoptical compensation film), MVA wide viewing angle polarizer (with theMVA wide viewing optical compensation film), regular circular polarizers(without the MVA wide viewing optical compensation film), and MVA wideviewing circular polarizer (circular polarizer attached with the MVAwide viewing angle compensation films) were used to create differentembodiments of the present invention. The MVA compensation films includenegative birefringence uniaxial and biaxial films, with a totalretardation of −100 to −300 nm. Specifically, the viewing angle islarger than ±85° in the horizontal and vertical viewing zones, andlarger than ±50° in the two major diagonal viewing zones, using thenormal linear polarizer without the MVA wide viewing opticalcompensation film. The viewing angle is larger than ±85° in all viewingzones, using the MVA wide viewing angle polarizers with the MVA wideviewing optical compensation film. The circular polarizers doubled theoptical transmission compared to the transmission using linearpolarizers. Moreover, both the transmission and viewing angle areenlarged using the MVA circular polarizers. Displays using associateddots in accordance to the present invention show a more stable MVAoperation and faster switching on and switching off response times thansimilarly designed MVA panels that do not use associated dots.

Various embodiments of the present invention were fabricated in the formof a 2.2 inch color display with a quarter VGA resolution (QVGA, 240×320color pixels), using a switching element row inversion driving scheme.The color pixel size is 141 um in width by 141 um in height. Each pixelconsists of three color components (red, green and blue colors) usingcolor filter materials). Thus, the display includes 720 (240×3) colorcomponents in the horizontal direction and 320 color components in thevertical direction. Each color component has a theoretical maximum sizeof 47 um in width by 141 um in height. However, some of this area isrequired for the device component areas and associated dots. The displayincludes 720 switching elements horizontally and 320 vertically for atotal of 720×320 switching elements. The device component area, whichconsists of the switching element (thin film transistors) and thestorage capacitor, has a theoretical maximum size of about 47 um inwidth by 38.0 um in height. However due to horizontal and vertical dotspacings, the device component area has an actual size of about 41 um inwidth by 35.0 um.

In the display panel fabrication process, Merck vertical alignmentliquid crystal (LC) is used with a negative dielectric anisotropy, suchas MLC-6884. The Japan Nissan Chemical Industrial Limited (Nissan)polyimide SE-5300 with a non-rubbing process is used to fabricate thestandard vertical LC alignment without the pretilt angle. Thefabrication process is a non-rubbing process and does not require highprecision top to bottom substrates alignment, which is required in thefabrication process for other MVA LCDs using the protrusion or ITO slitgeometry. The width of the ITO connection lines between different colordots and different device component areas is 3 um. Top and bottompolarizers are attached to the panels. The typical LC cell gap is about2.0 to 3.5 um.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the display wascreated using the pixel design, dot polarity patterns, and pixelarrangement in accordance with FIGS. 5( a)-5(h) and FIG. 6( a), whereeach color component is divided into 3 color dots with one associateddot. For the first color component, the device component area, whichconsists of the switching element SE_1 and the storage capacitor, waselectrically biased with an electrode to create associated dot AD_1.Thus AD_1 has a theoretical maximum size of about 47.0 um in width by38.0 um in height. However due to horizontal and vertical dot spacings,the device component area has an actual size of about 41.0 um in widthby 35.0 um in height. Thus each color dot has a theoretical maximum sizeof about 47.0 um in width by 34.3 um in height. However due tohorizontal and vertical dot spacings, each color dot has an actual sizeof about 41.0 um in width by 31.3 um in height. Thus in the actual size,each color dot (CD_1_1, CD_1_2, and CD_1_3) for first color component isabout 41.0 um in width by 31.3 um in height, and the associated dot AD_1is 41.0 um in width by 35 um in height. Similarly, for the second andthird color components, we have, in actual size, each color dot (CD_2_1,CD_2_2, CD_2_3, CD_3_1, CD_3_2, and CD_3_3) is about 41.0 um in width by31.3 um in height, and the associated dots AD_2 and AD_3 are 41.0 um inwidth by 35 um in height.

The display produced a contrast ratio greater than 600 at an appliedvoltage of 5 volt. Furthermore the display exhibited a very wide viewingangle of greater than ±85° in all viewing zones using the MVA wideviewing angle polarizer. Specifically, the viewing angle is greater than±85° in the horizontal and vertical viewing zones, and greater than ±50°in the two major diagonal viewing zones, using the normal linearpolarizer without the MVA wide viewing optical compensation film. Thecircular polarizers doubled the optical transmission compared to thetransmission using linear polarizers. Moreover, both the transmissionand viewing angle are enlarged using the MVA circular polarizers.Displays using associated dots in accordance to the present inventionshow a more stable MVA operation and faster switching on and switchingoff response times than similarly designed MVA panels that do not useassociated dots.

Even though, MVA LCDs in accordance with the present invention providewide viewing angle at a low cost, some embodiments of the presentinvention use optical compensation methods to further increase theviewing angle. For example, some embodiments of the present inventionuse negative birefringence optical compensation films with verticaloriented optical axis on the top or bottom substrate or both top andbottom substrates to increase viewing angle. Other embodiments may useuniaxial optical compensation films or biaxial optical compensationfilms with a negative birefringence. In some embodiments, positivecompensation films with a parallel optical axis orientation can add tothe negative birefringence film with a vertical optical axisorientation. Furthermore, multiple films that include all combinationscould be used. Other embodiments may use a circular polarizer to improvethe optical transmission and viewing angle. Other embodiments may use acircular polarizer with the optical compensation films to furtherimprove the optical transmission and viewing angle.

In the various embodiments of the present invention, novel structuresand methods have been described for creating a multi-domain verticalalignment liquid crystal display without the use of physical features onthe substrate. The various embodiments of the structures and methods ofthis invention that are described above are illustrative only of theprinciples of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention to the particular embodiment described. For example, inview of this disclosure those skilled in the art can define other pixeldefinitions, dot polarity patterns, pixel designs, polarities, fringefields, electrodes, substrates, films, and so forth, and use thesealternative features to create a method, or system according to theprinciples of this invention. Thus, the invention is limited only by thefollowing claims.

1. A pixel of a liquid crystal display comprising: a first colorcomponent having a first first-component color dot, wherein the firstfirst-component color dot has an electrode; a first switching elementcoupled to the electrode of the first first-component color dot andconfigured to drive the electrode of the first first-component color dotto a first polarity and; a first associated dot having an electrodeconfigured to have the first polarity, wherein the first switchingelement is located within the first associated dot.
 2. The pixel ofclaim 1, wherein the first switching element is coupled to the electrodeof the first associated dot.
 3. The pixel of claim 1, further comprisinga second associated dot vertically aligned with the first associated dotand separated from the first associated dot by at least a horizontal dotspacing, where the second associated dot includes an electrodeconfigured to have a second polarity.
 4. The pixel of claim 3, furthercomprising: a second color component having a first second-componentcolor dot having an electrode, wherein the second associated dot islocated between the first first-component color dot and the firstsecond-component color dot; and a second switching element locatedwithin the second associated dot and coupled to the electrode of thefirst second-component color dot, wherein the second switching elementis configured to drive the first second-component color dot to the firstpolarity.
 5. The pixel of claim 4, wherein the first color componentfurther comprises a second first-component color dot, wherein the secondfirst-component color dot has an electrode coupled to the firstswitching element and wherein the second first-component color dot isvertically offset from the first first-component color dot by a verticaldot offset and horizontally offset from the first first-component colordot by a horizontal dot offset; and the second color component furthercomprises a second second-component color dot, wherein the secondsecond-component color dot has an electrode coupled to the secondswitching element and wherein the second second-component color dot isvertically offset from the first second-component color dot by thevertical dot offset and horizontally offset from the firstsecond-component color dot by the horizontal dot offset.
 6. The pixel ofclaim 5, wherein the first color component is on a first side of thesecond associated dot and the second color component is on a second sideof the second associated dot.
 7. The pixel of claim 5, wherein the firstcolor component further comprises a third first-component color dot,wherein the third first-component color dot has an electrode coupled tothe first switching element and wherein the third first-component colordot is vertically offset from the second first-component color dot bythe vertical dot offset and horizontally offset from the secondfirst-component color dot by the horizontal dot offset; and the secondcolor component further comprises a third second-component color dot,wherein the third second-component color dot has an electrode coupled tothe second switching element and wherein the third second-componentcolor dot is vertically offset from the second second-component colordot by the vertical dot offset and horizontally offset from the secondsecond-component color dot by the horizontal dot offset.
 8. The pixel ofclaim 7, wherein the first first-component color dot, the secondfirst-component color dot, and the third first-component color dot arearranged in a first left-right-left zigzag pattern.
 9. The pixel ofclaim 8, wherein the first second-component color dot, the secondsecond-component color dot and the third second-component color dot arearranged in a first right-left-right zigzag pattern.
 10. The pixel ofclaim 7, further comprising: a third associated dot vertically alignedwith the first associated dot and horizontally separated from the firstassociated dot by the horizontal dot spacing, wherein the thirdassociated dot has an electrode configured to have the second polarity;a third color component having a first third-component color dot, asecond third-component color dot, and a third third-component color dot;and a third switching element located within the third associated dotand coupled to an electrode of the first third-component color dot, anelectrode of the second third-component color dot, and an electrode ofthe third third-component color dot.
 11. The pixel of claim 10, whereinthe third switching element is configured to drive the electrode of thefirst third-component color dot, the electrode of the secondthird-component color dot, and the electrode of the thirdthird-component color dot to the first polarity.
 12. The pixel of claim7, further comprising: a third associated dot vertically aligned withthe second associated dot and horizontally separated from the secondassociated dot by the horizontal dot spacing, wherein the thirdassociated dot has an electrode configured to have the first polarity; athird color component having a first third-component color dot, a secondthird-component color dot, and a third third-component color dot; and athird switching element located within the third associated dot andcoupled to an electrode of the first third-component color dot, anelectrode of the second third-component color dot, and an electrode ofthe third third-component color dot.
 13. The pixel of claim 12, whereinthe third switching element is configured to drive the electrode of thefirst third-component color dot, the electrode of the secondthird-component color dot, and the electrode of the thirdthird-component color dot to the first polarity.
 14. The pixel of claim12, wherein the third switching element is coupled to the electrode ofthe third associated dot.
 15. The pixel of claim 5, further comprising:a third associated dot vertically aligned with the first associated dotand horizontally separated from the first associated dot by thehorizontal dot spacing, wherein the third associated dot has anelectrode configured to have the second polarity; a third colorcomponent having a first third-component color dot and a secondthird-component color dot; and a third switching element located withinthe third associated dot and coupled to an electrode of the firstthird-component color dot and an electrode of the second third-componentcolor dot.
 16. The pixel of claim 15, wherein the third switchingelement is configured to drive the electrode of the firstthird-component color dot and the electrode of the secondthird-component color dot to the first polarity.
 17. The pixel of claim5, further comprising: a third associated dot vertically aligned withthe second associated dot and horizontally separated from the secondassociated dot by the horizontal dot spacing, wherein the thirdassociated dot has an electrode configured to have the first polarity; athird color component having a first third-component color dot and asecond third-component color dot; and a third switching element locatedwithin the third associated dot and coupled to an electrode of the firstthird-component color dot and an electrode of the second third-componentcolor dot.
 18. The pixel of claim 17, wherein the third switchingelement is configured to drive the electrode of the firstthird-component color dot and the electrode of the secondthird-component color dot to the first polarity.
 19. The pixel of claim18, wherein the third switching element is coupled to the electrode ofthe third associated dot.
 20. The pixel of claim 4, further comprising:a third associated dot vertically aligned with the first associated dotand horizontally separated from the first associated dot by thehorizontal dot spacing, wherein the third associated dot has anelectrode configured to have the second polarity; a third colorcomponent having a first third-component color dot; and a thirdswitching element located within the third associated dot and coupled toan electrode of the first third-component color dot.
 21. The pixel ofclaim 20, wherein the third switching element is configured to drive theelectrode of the first third-component color dot to the first polarity.22. The pixel of claim 4, further comprising: a third associated dotvertically aligned with the second associated dot and horizontallyseparated from the second associated dot by the horizontal dot spacing,wherein the third associated dot has an electrode configured to have thefirst polarity; a third color component having a first third-componentcolor dot; and a third switching element located within the thirdassociated dot and coupled to an electrode of the first third-componentcolor dot.
 23. The pixel of claim 22, wherein the third switchingelement is configured to drive the electrode of the firstthird-component color dot to the first polarity.
 24. The pixel of claim23, wherein the third switching element is coupled to the electrode ofthe associated dot.
 25. The pixel of claim 22, wherein the first colorcomponent is vertically aligned with the third color component.